Government in dilemma over states’ issue, but may resort to 10 states -political analyst

February 10, 2020 Newsbeat

Luka Biong Deng, Professor at Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) at US National Defense University in Washington (Photo: File)

February 11, 2020 (SSNN)—South Sudan government may accept the return of the country to 10 states, instead of 23 states, “as the option of 10 states recommended by the IGAD Council of Ministers has a legal and constitutional basis and it is affordable in the light of the current economic conditions,” said a political analyst and Professor at Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) at US National Defense University in Washington, Dr. Luka Biong.

“Only less than two weeks remaining for the expiration of 100 days extension of the pre-interim period of the peace agreement. Although no agreement has been reached by parties on the number of states, the good news is that the IGAD Council of Ministers has recommended either 10 states or 23 states plus Abyei. While the Summit of IGAD Heads of State has noted the recommendation of the IGAD Council of Ministers, it reverted the issue of number of states to be resolved only by South Sudanese and directed further consultation under the leadership of Sudan Prime Minister as the chair of IGAD,” said Luka in a statement obtained by SSNN.

Luka noted that since the IGAD Council of Ministers recommended the Parties to choose between 10 states and 23 states, and the Kiir administration will be compelled choose 10 states, instead of 23 states.

“As Juba has requested further consultation on the number of states and to report back its final decision by 15th February, Juba will have a choice of either accepting 10 states or 23 states plus Abyei as the option of 32 states has been excluded.”

Luka believes that If the government accepts either 10 or 23 states, the remaining challenge will be security arrangements.

“If it is true that the first batch of the unified VIP Protection Force and unified forces will be graduated before the expiration of 100 days extension, then the transitional government may be formed otherwise the Regional Protection Forces and UN Forces may be tasked to fill the gap while continuing training the unified forces.”

He expressed optimism that a unity government will be formed by February 22, as agreed by the Parties if the outstanding issues are resolved amicably.

“I am optimistic that the transitional government will be formed this month as the signatories of the peace agreement have seen and recognized the enormous suffering experienced by the people of South Sudan and the cost of non-implementation of peace agreement will be extremely high for the parties as the region and international community will not standby watching the unimaginable suffering of people of South Sudan.”