The factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the Juba-based coalition government resolved to engage in the SPLM reunification process despite varying views.
The ruling SPLM, SPLM-IO allied to First Vice President Taban Deng Gai and the two former detainees in the government held a separate meeting yesterday to discuss the upcoming National Liberation Council expected at the end of the month and SPLM reunification process.
Peter Lam Both, the secretary of information at SPLM secretariat led by President Salva Kiir told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that their group met on Tuesday.
“The leadership has resolved that reunification should be undertaken in compliance with the Arusha reunification agreement. Invitations to attend the National Liberation Council meeting will be sent to all factions of the movement, including those in the opposition led by Riek Machar and the group of former political detainees,” Lam explained.
For his part, Dhieu Mathok Diing, Secretary General of the SPLM-IO allied to first vice president Taban Deng Gai, said the SPLM-IO political bureau also met on Tuesday and agreed to join the reunification process.
He added that they also approved the government’s position on the peace negotiations, its rejection to the dissolution of parliament, army, and judiciary, saying such actions would create an institutional vacuum at the time of reconstitution.
Madut Biar Yel, a member of the former detainees said his group has met recently with President Salva Kiir to discuss the reunification process during which the president assured them of his personal commitment to facilitation the process in accordance with the Arusha Agreement.
Madut neither denied nor confirmed whether his group will participate in the upcoming reunification meeting.