South Sudan’s main opposition group, the Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition said the extension of President Kiir’s term until 2021 is an attempt to disturb peace.

South Sudan’s government today extended its term for three more years as peace talks are ongoing in Khartoum, despite the US administration’s pressure to drop the effort.

SPLM-IO deputy spokesman Manawa Peter Gatkuoth told Radio Tamazuj in Khartoum on Thursday that the move taken by South Sudan’s government is a new threat to the ongoing peace talks supported by the region.

He called on the government in Juba to reverse its decision, saying it undermines international efforts to bring peace in South Sudan.

“We call upon the international community to put pressure on the government in Juba to reverse its decision otherwise there is no need for people to hold peace talks,” he said.

“The move is a clear message from the government that the ongoing peace talks are not important. It is crystal clear now that the current parliament in Juba is just a rubber stump,” he added.

Separately, a South Sudanese rights entity condemned the bill passed by South Sudan’s parliament that extends President Salva Kiir’s term for three more years.

Tito Anthony, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), said the move undermines the ongoing peace process. 

The activist pointed out that the extension of President Kiir’s term reflects lack of seriousness to bring peace in South Sudan.