The SPLM has denounced a call by Pagan Amum, the leader of the SPLM-FDs, for an intervention force in South Sudan.
On Thursday, Amum announced that an advocacy group had been formed seeking to bring South Sudan under the administration of the United Nations to force President Kiir to resign.
It is the latest condemnation by splm officials against a plan for a regional force in South Sudan, who have spoken out against the proposal at nearly every opportunity. The regional force was debated at the IGAD council of Ministers meeting on Friday, and is also being debated at the UN Security Council, who is expected to decide on the issue August 12th.
“Any intervention that is not approved by the TGoNU that aims to invade or meddle in the affairs of a sovereign State will warrant a strong response”, said Mangar Amerdid, National Advisor SPLM Political Affairs and Mobilization in a statement. “The false claim being perpetuated by Pagan that the peace agreement has collapsed is his way of attempting to revive his political career. The peace agreement has not collapsed and it is being implemented daily by the various political organs of Transitional Government of National Unity,”
Rebel leader Riek Machar has said that he will not return to Juba unless a regional force enters. A spokesperson for the SPLA has said foreign troops will be fought if they enter the country.
At nearly every level of government, officials aligned with the SPLM say that the SPLM-IO nominated Taban Deng as First Vice President, replacing Machar. A spokesperson aligned with Machar has called the move illegal.
“The Peace Agreement did not collapse nor was it compromised as the SPLM/A-IO leadership chose to independently exercise their right to assign a person to fill the position of Riek Machar with Taban Deng Gai is a legitimate First Vice President and has the full support of the SPLM party,” the statement said.
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