JCE backs return to 10 states, welcomes formation of unity government

February 29, 2020 News

Aldo Ajou Deng Akuei, a senior politician and member of the JCE (Photo: File)

February 29, 2020 (SSNN)—The Jieng Council of Elders, an influential group of elders predominantly from the Dinka tribe, has congratulated the parties on resolving outstanding issues and forming a unity government on schedule.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit (SPLM) and First President Riek Machar Teny (SPLM IO) acted with concerted efforts and yielded to South Sudanese and international community demand to end the 2013-2018 senseless war,” said Aldo Ajou Deng Akuei, a senior politician and member of the JCE.

The group hailed the government and the opposition for reaching a compromise on the issue of the number and boundaries of states.

“Overcoming the 17 months deadlock, over the National Army’s formation and training and reduction of 32 states to 10 or 24, with their clear boundaries, which were highly seen as divisive, frustrating and threatening to the 12 September 2018 R-ARCSS peace deal, is now recognized worldwide, as a true national decision to commit the country to permanent peace.”

The group called on the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement to put the country on the right track.

“The SPLM should now convert to the correct political gear, while the rest of these seemingly SPLM factions, posing as political parties must, in fact, register their political parties now, since they are going to be represented proportionately in the incoming 550 members of the R-TNLA and the 100 members of Council of States.”
“We expect the next step, formation of R-cabinet, to be inclusive of the reorganization of R-TNLA and the independent Judiciary for the Republic of South Sudan. A Judiciary which stipulates that no citizen or a body shall be above the law. Once the three legs or pillars of democratic governance are firmly fixed or grounded correctly.
“We shall expect the coalition government program of action for the coming three years, leading to peaceful and free elections.”
“We are, humbly waiting anxiously, to have the R-TGoNU detail-program, which must be debated and passed by consensus, because there would be no opposition party in R-TNLA or Council of States. Let’s hope that our leaders shall draw correct program in accordance with the R-ARCSS and the Revitalized Transitional Constitution, amended 2020.”