SSOA abruptly changes its stance, accepts proposed Arbitration Mechanism
IGAD Council of Ministers mediates between the Transitional Government of National Unity, South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement /Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) on outstanding issues (Photo: IGAD secretariat)
January 20th, 2020 (SSNN)—The leadership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a coalition of ten factions, has changed its recent position on the states’ issue and accepted the recent Arbitration Mechanism proposed by the South African Vice President, David Mabuza.
Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, the Chairman of the Opposition Parties stated that the SSOA leadership is gravely concerned about the slow pace of implementation of the peace agreement.
“Fellow citizens, Regional and International partners to the R-ARCSS, we deeply express our profound concerns in the snail speed the implementation of the R-ARCSS is moving. However, we are encouraged and strongly appreciate the concerted efforts being exerted by the region and international peace partners for the Republic of South Sudan and its people to achieve sustainable peace,” said Hon. Denay Jock, Chairman of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.
Adding that: “The arbitration mechanism proposed by the Special Envoys to Republic of South Sudan as an instrument for resolving the impasse on the number of states and their boundaries is a genuine attempt by the IGAD to strike a deal with South Sudanese parties to the agreement. A deal that will end the stalemate on the issue of the states and will pave the way for the formation of the R-TGONU.”
The group welcomed the step taken by the mediator and urged the Signatory Parties to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the new proposal.
“We in SSOA Main Faction welcome the initiative to establish an Arbitration Committee. This proposal deserves serious consideration by the parties to the agreement by annalysing its pros and cons with the aim of building the necessary consensus among the parties to the agreement.”
“To this effect, we will be developing our formal response to the proposal which will be shared with the mediation and the parties to the agreement as required by the mediation. We are flexible to discuss any objective and constructive options that will move the implementation process forward. Throwing this proposal under the bus even before discussing it amounts to disregard for the suffering of innocent people of South Sudan.”
The leadership of the group advises other political parties who are opposed to the new proposal to accept the Arbitration Mechanism, stressing that the agreement being implemented had the same challenges, however, on account of the growing need for peace in the country, a significant compromise was made.
“In conclusion, the Leadership of SSOA Main Faction urges parties to the R-ARCSS to seriously engage the mediation on the arbitration proposal with the aim of improving and building consensus around it. It is worth noting that the very agreement (R-ARCSS) we are implementing was arrived at through consensus and compromises, and why should the contentious issues in the implementation process should be done differently. It is worth mentioning that we have committed ourselves to the formation of the R-TGONU at the end of the 100 day extention period (22n February 2020).
On Sunday, the SSOA leadership said it would only accept joining the formation of a national unity government if the outstanding issues were fully addressed.
“We are for the formation of the Transitional Government on time, but only after resolving the issue of the number and boundaries of the States and concluding the formation and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).”
Facebook Comments