Talks over number of states hit dead end, gov’t proposes referendum

December 7, 2019 Newsbeat

South Sudan’s officials and opposition members speaking during a joint press briefing in the capital, Juba (Photo: Supplied)

Dec 7th, 2019 (SSNN)-In order to end the impasse over the number of states and their boundaries, the South Sudanese government has proposed a nationwide referendum by all citizens, saying that way, the citizens themselves will decide how many states they need during the transitional period.

“The president shared his concern with the members of cabinet and all of whom spoke in favour of 32 states and that only a referendum can reverse the structures currently in existence to avoid crisis and even insecurity,” said Martin.

“The president raised his concern on the perception that has been developed by those mediating between the parties to the agreement and IGAD that the government appears to be intransigent in changing its position about the 32 states,” said South Sudan Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro.

He added: “It is assumed that the opposition has changed its position from 10 states to 23+1 states and that it’s the government and one particular group of political parties, the umbrella group that are insisting on the 32 states”.

The government official pointed out that if the current 32 states are dissolved as demanded by opposition groups, the ongoing peace agreement could be adversely affected, thereby returning the country to violent conflict.

Last week, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, a coalition group of opposition factions, called on the South Sudan government to make a compromise on the number of states and their boundaries, stressing that bringing peace in the country remains a priority.