South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) faction loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, has called for urgent dialogue among parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement to resuscitate the fragile deal in the wake of the recent arrests of party officials.
“The continued detention of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, and other leaders is a clear violation of the peace agreement and undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace,” said Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson of the SPLM-IO in a statement on Tuesday.
Mai emphasized the party’s dedication to peace through dialogue and adherence to the agreement “in letter and spirit”.
He noted that dialogue remains the only viable path to address the challenges and violations surrounding the peace deal.
Machar, the chairman of SPLM-IO and several party officials were detained in March following tense fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army militia since March 4 in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
The SPLM-IO denies accusation that it agitated the White Army militia, it fought alongside during the 2013 conflict to attack SSPDF forces in Nasir.
Mai also demanded the withdrawal of all foreign forces currently present in South Sudan, describing their presence as a breach of the country’s sovereignty and a threat to the peace process.
He appealed to regional and international actors to launch an independent investigation into alleged violence and human rights abuses in Nasir, Ulang counties, Malakal in Upper Nile State, and Western Equatoria State.
“There are credible reports of war crimes, ethnic profiling, and even the use of chemical weapons in airstrikes targeting civilians. These grave violations must not go unpunished,” said Mai.
In addition, Mai urged the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations to take a more active role in ensuring justice, accountability and the protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, recently stressed that the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State, has resulted in significant loss of life, mass displacement and public fear.
“This violence is inflicting immense suffering on ordinary citizens; it raises the question of whether our leaders understand the consequences of their disagreements,” said Yakani.
