Angelina Teny, the wife of South Sudan’s prominent opposition leader Riek Machar said their rebel group will never sign a shaky peace agreement with Kiir’s administration again, pointing out that the 2015 peace accord may be headed for revision during the revitalization process in Ethiopia.
Teny, who is a leading member of the opposition faction led by Machar, told Radio Tamazuj that that the 2015 peace deal will serve as a framework for negotiations in February, but numerous sections need to be revisited.
“We will not sign something we are still doubting, that’s why we insisted during discussions on cessation of hostilities that our members will not go to Juba. We want to make sure that everything is good. I want to make it clear that we will never sign an agreement with reservations,” Angelina said.
She urged Kiir’s administration to show its commitment to bring peace in South Sudan through the IGAD-led peace revitalization process. “I am appealing to the other parties because our country needs peace. Our people have suffered a lot because of the conflict,” she said.
Machar’s release
The wife of the exiled rebel leader said the revitalization process led by the East African regional bloc IGAD will guarantee Machar’s release from his forced detention in South Africa.
“The cessation of hostilities agreement talks on the release of prisoners of war and political prisoners, and Machar’s detention is like a political prosecution. I think the peace process will guarantee Dr. Machar’s release,” she said.
“The revitalization process also talks on the importance of inclusivity. Nobody will be excluded if it is going to inclusive as promised by IGAD. If IGAD countries want the revitalization process to be successful, they should also show their commitment to fulfil what is agreed upon. IGAD has also signed the same ceasefire agreement that stipulates that the political prisoners must be released to create a conducive atmosphere,” she added.
Angelina, who also heads the SPLM-IO’s security and defense committee, said their movement will work to ensure all prisoners of war are released. “I don’t know the number of prisoners of war right now because it is a technical issue. But I would like to reaffirm our commitment to release all prisoners of war,”she said.
“We also have many people who are being detained by the government. We have prominent persons like James Gatdet, Dong Samuel and Aggrey. There are many others in prisons, and even those who are not members of SPLM-IO should be released,” she said.
SPLM-IO faction in Juba
Angelina said their opposition group has no association with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by the country’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.
“Taban Deng is part of the current government. In the recent agreement in Addis Ababa, there was no any SPLM-IO under Taban because he is part of the government, and the government was represented by Nhial Deng Nhial,” she said.
Peace and reconciliation
Angelina, who is now in Addis Ababa, warned that the new international effort to shore up South Sudan's failing peace agreement could be the last chance for South Sudan leaders to make peace.
“This is the last chance. The people of South Sudan are suffering, including those who are in government because no salaries due to the war. Let’s accept peace despite our bitterness. We should think of reconciliation now,” she said.
“Also, our people have the rights to seek justice when comes peace,” she added.
Angelina urged the people of South Sudan to desist using hostile social media propaganda campaigns including any actions that may undermine peace in the country. “Our leaders also should talk about something that can unite and reconcile our people. I wish our people of South Sudan a Merry Christmas.”