SPLM-IO calls for party reunification without Salva Kiir

Reunification of the South Sudan’s fragmented ruling party SPLM through the ongoing inter-factional dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania will never happen unless President Salva Kiir steps down and a new party leader is selected, a rebel official told Radio Tamazuj.

Reunification of the South Sudan’s fragmented ruling party SPLM through the ongoing inter-factional dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania will never happen unless President Salva Kiir steps down and a new party leader is selected, a rebel official told Radio Tamazuj.

The three main SPLM factions in October agreed on a framework for dialogue in Arusha and admitted responsibility for the civil war.

SPLM-IO deputy head of information and public relations Manawa Peter Gatkuoth told Radio Tamazuj in an interview yesterday that the views of the two warring parties, SPLM-IO and SPLM-Juba are still very far apart in Arusha.

But he noted that the opposition faction is for peace that ensures reunification of the SPLM party without Salva Kiir. Manawa accused Kiir of transferring the SPLM’s internal problem to government institutions.

When asked about their position on the upcoming elections, Gatkuoth said elections cannot be conducted without census and political freedoms.

He further pointed out a large number of South Sudanese are still seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, beside internally displaced persons. He added that the security situation is deteriorating across South Sudan.

File photo: Manawa Peter Gatkuoth