Representatives of three SPLM factions have been invited to meet next week in South Africa as part of a tripartite committee tasked to follow-up the implementation of the Arusha SPLM Reunification Agreement.
The SPLM factions agreed in February on a roadmap for implementing SPLM reunification including “preparatory measures” for the anticipated return of the SPLM-G10 leaders to South Sudan. Little progress has been made since then in implementing the deal, after talks at the separate IGAD-led peace process stalled in February and early March.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the ruling faction (SPLM-Juba aka SPLM-in-Government) have received an invitation letter with regards to the meeting of the three SPLM factions.
However, he declined to mention the date when the meetings will start in South Africa.
Makuei, who is also the government spokesman, said the meeting is a follow-up on the Arusha discussions. “It is not a new initiative, but rather a follow-up on the Arusha discussion, so the meeting will kick off soon,” he said.
For his part, SPLM-IO deputy head of information and public relations Manawa Peter Gatkuoth told Radio Tamazuj in an interview that they also received the invitation about the next consultative meeting in order to reactivate the Arusha Agreement after the recent IGAD peace talks failed.
“The ruling party in South Africa and the ruling party in Tanzania talked to Dr. Riek Machar about the reactivation of the Arusha talks. So there is a committee working to study agendas and timing of the meeting,” he said.
But he noted that the opposition faction will first determined its position whether it will participate in the meeting or not.
Meanwhile, Deng Alor, member of the SPLM-G10 also known as the ‘former detainees’ group said in a press statement that they received the invitation on the meeting in South Africa. The G10 are a group of high-level SPLM leaders who were arrested and then released at the start of the South Sudan Civil War in December 2013 before going into exile in neighbouring countries.
Alor disclosed that their group will be represented by former justice minister John Luk, former finance minister Kosti Manibe, former youths and sports minister Cirino Hiteng and former telecommunications minister Madut Biar Yel.
The former cabinet minister explained that the SPLM-G10 faction will return to Juba if the Arusha deal is fully implemented. He said that they would require security details from South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania to protect them in Juba.
Photo: SPLM leaders with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in Arusha, 20 October 2014