Machar issues press release, rejecting Kiir’s call for consultative meetings

February 13, 2020 Newsbeat

Former Vice-president and Chairman of the SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar Teny and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit (Photo:Supplied)

February 14, 2020 (SSNN)—South Sudan’s main opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar has released a press statement, rejecting the government’s call for consultations on the issue of the number of states and their boundaries, a pending task that has become an obstacle to the formation of the unity government.

“The SPLM/SPLA(I0) would like to make the following comments in regards to the consultations called for by President Salva Kiir of which the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services issued an announcement on 12 February 2020 for the consultations quoting articles 5 and 8 of the communique of the 34 Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa – Ethiopia on 8th -9th February 2020, The list of invitees included government public officials and members of parliaments at all levels -national, states and counties; civil society organizations; parties and stakeholders signatory to the R-ARCSS,” said head of the SPLM-IO Dr. Riek Machar in a statement.

Machar indicated that the consultative meeting requested by the IGAD was intended solely for Kiir to consult with his constituents on the proposed number of states, and not with the opposition parties.

“Article 9 of the IGAD’s communique, I quote “Agreed to the request of the president of South Sudan H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit to conduct further consultation with his constituents and report back to the IGAD Chair on the 15” of February.”

“President Salva requested time for consultation with his own constituents and not with the parties and stakeholders signatory to the R-ARCSS.”

“The SPLM/SPLA(I0) and parties not allied to President Salva’s party are therefore not included in the said consultations.”

The SPLM-IO said that the Parties held a series of consultations on that issue, but failed to agree on the number of states and their boundaries.

“It is to be recalled that the parties held rounds of consultations facilitated by IGAD and the Deputy President of South Africa in an attempt to resolve the stalemate on the number of adarien states and their boundaries but the parties failed to reach consensus.”

Adding that, “The matter was referred to the CS and IGAD by the regional envoys to South Sudan. The matter cannot be again brought back to the parties who have failed to reach an agreement many times before.”

“Article 8 of the IGAD communique I quote “Held the tripartite consultations as directed by the Summit on the 9″ February 2020 that reviewed the recommendations made in the report of the 70″ IGAD Council of Ministers;” The report referred to in the communique recommended 10 or 23 states for consideration by IGAD Heads of States and Government. In addition, the outcome of the tripartite consultations was 10 states on which President Salva Kiir reguested consultations with his constituents.”

The leadership of the SPLM-IO rejected the invitation extended by the Kiir administration.

“ In light of the above, the SPLM/SPLA(I0) will not participate in consuitations called for by President Salva Kiir. Finally, the SPLM/SPLA(I0) welcomed the recommendations of the Independent Boundaries Commission (1BC) of 10 states, the recommendation of the IGAD Council of Ministers of 10 or 23+1 states and the outcome of the Tripartito, Summit of the three Heads of State and Goverament of 10 states.”