![Pagan Amum (left) Thomas Cirilo (right) and Gen. Paul Malong (right) are calling for a new process to replace the transitional government in Juba. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Orange-and-Black-Modern-Sporty-Mens-Fitness-Quotes-Facebook-Cover-1.png?resize=532%2C300&quality=80&ssl=1)
JUBA — At least sixteen (16) holdout South Sudan opposition and professional groups have again appealed to the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediated the revitalized peace agreement to support their cal for a new politics process starting with a roundtable conference to decide the way forward in the country.
The groups including PCCA, NAS, Real-SPLM, NDM-PF, STEPS we 64, SAA, UDRM/A, SSNMC, UPDP, RCM, SSPM/A, CODA, NPM, SSC, Academics and Professionals, and SSUF/A said they met to discuss the way forward for the world’s youngest country and reiterated their rejection of the extension of the transitional period.
“The Like-Minded Stakeholders for a New Political Dispensation for South Sudan held its second meeting Saturday, 3rd September 2022, convened by Non Signatory South Sudanese Opposition groups (NSSOG) to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R ARCRSS) and the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA),” they said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.
“The meeting deliberated on steps towards convening an inclusive roundtable national political dialogue for a new political dispensation for South Sudan. Participants in the meeting consisted of the NSSSOG, other opposition political movements, the PCCA, other civil society organizations, women groups, youth associations, religious leaders, and prominent personalities,” the statement added.
They said that their meeting “Reiterate its rejection of the unilateral decision of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to continue pushing for an extension of the Interim Period for RTGONU for 24 months.”
They also agreed to “Develop a national consensus statement that comprehensively redefines the problem in South Sudan, outlines viable options for solutions and serves as an inspiring preparatory document for the proposed inclusive roundtable national political dialogue.”
The statement when into mention that the groups will “Continue working together as a broad-based multi-stakeholder forum that serves as an open platform for South Sudanese to dialogue candidly and freely to find durable solutions to the root causes of the conflicts afflicting the country since independence.”
They further renewed “its open invitation to all South Sudanese opposition groups, organized political and civic groups, women and youth organizations, academic and professional groups, faith-based entities at home and abroad; and friends of the people of South Sudan around the world to join and support this initiative of the proposed inclusive roundtable of a national political dialogue for a new political dispensation for the country. Further agreed to ensure this roundtable dialogue is a South Sudanese-led and owned process.”
They called in the IGAD, the UN and international communities to support the calls for a new initiative in the world’s youngest country.
“Finally, we call on the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the African Union, the United Nations, and all other International Stakeholders to support this call for an inclusive roundtable political dialogue as a viable path for a lasting peace in South Sudan,” they said.