A section of citizens in Torit State on Wednesday expressed varying opinions about the expected formation of a unity government on November 12.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, several local residents demanded that the formation of a transitional government be postponed until critical pending issues are addressed.
Jildo Boutros Andrew, a resident of Torit town, said: “Even in cantonments, many soldiers have evacuated because of hunger; the sites are not organized, there are no houses, no medicines, forcing some of them to leave the cantonment sites”.
He added,” in my opinion, nothing good will happen. The president [Salva Kiir] knows that a unity government was to be formed earlier, but it was extended to November for other things to be completed”.
Boutros proposed a six- month extension beyond next week’s deadline. “We don’t want people to go back to war,” Andrew stressed.
Meanwhile, Davidika Ikai, said the plight of the suffering population should be considered as the country’s leaders establish a unity government.
“Let them see how the country is going, how people are staying both in and outside the camps. People are interested in peace, but it should be real peace. We need a genuine government,” he said.
Susan Ifuho, on the other hand, requested that the pre-transitional period be extended until internal boundaries and security arrangements are resolved.
“Let the president know that this thing is not easy. Let the period be extended so that we don’t hear cases like someone has gone to the bush again,” Ifuho said.
Meanwhile, Ebul Simon Ohuro said there is no sign of peace in South Sudan where people face hunger and are also affected by floods.
“We are worried because we are not seeing anything good. This is not perfect peace because things are not going in the right direction. The issue of states is not yet done, and in my opinion, it’s not the right time for the formation of the unity government,” he stressed.
President Kiir on Tuesday maintained his position to form a government of national unity as planned on November 12.
The South Sudanese leader told lawmakers that all other signatories to the peace deal, except the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) have supported the formation of a unity government as scheduled.
President Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar arrived in Uganda to meet in the presence of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan.
The meeting, which is expected to discuss outstanding issues in the peace deal before next week’s deadline, is scheduled to take place in Entebbe today.