South Sudan’s SPLM-In-Opposition chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai on Monday said the signed peace agreement with the government may collapse and accused the government of delaying flights which would transport their forces to Juba.
“The 23 senior officers for Joint Integrated Police who were to arrive to Juba today 21 March 2016 were also delayed because the Government of the Republic of the South Sudan denial UN flights clearance to Pagak,” Taban said, referring to SPLA-IO officials who had been expected in Juba.
Taban further blamed the Troika of the United States, Britain, and Norway for not providing funding for certain provisions of the peace deal including transportation of some armed troops to Juba.
“Nobody is refusing this, the army in Juba is not refusing, and we are not refusing. Who is refusing is the Troika,” Taban said.
He explained that five thousand US dollars will be enough for the transportation of their forces using four trips from Malakal. He blamed JMEC, the group tasked with overseeing implementation of the peace deal, for not taking its full responsibility over the pending issues.
“Unfortunately, I think JMEC is still looking for direction. I am sorry to say that, they still have no confidence on the JMEC mechanism. I don’t think JMEC up to now be making decision that can help people of South Sudan,” Taban said.
“One thing that we need to implement as the people of South Sudan, let us bring the forces to Juba as of today and the other things will easier because if the forces come to Juba, Riek Machar will be in Juba and you will have the government of national unity,” he added.
“Somebody in Yambio will be accountable to the new government in Juba and the issue of contentment will be discussed by the new government just like we are going to discuss the issue of 28 states,” he said.
Koang confirms delay
Meanwhile, the head of joint security committee from SPLA-IO side, James Koang confirmed that the return of their troops to Juba has been delayed for a second time.
He said there is no fixed time for the arrivals of their troops to Juba, saying that the delay is due to the refusal of the donors to transport the troops with heavy weapons.
Koang pointed out that they are still holding their positions for the transportation of their troops with all their weapons, claiming that their forces have no heavy weapons.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation commission said earlier that the SPLA-IO troops will arrives to Juba earlier March.