IGAD accused of collusion with South Sudan government to extend transitional period

JUBA – A prominent South Sudan activist has alleged that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is colluding with the government of South Sudan in Juba to extend the transitional period without the will of the people of South Sudan.

In a statement, Exiled presidency critic and outspoken activist Wani Michael said the regional bloc, which mediated the revitalized peace agreement is planning to help the government of South Sudan extend its mandate without the will of the people of South Sudan.

“The R-TGoNU wants to collude with IGAD, RJMEC & other International Partners to stage a Coup against the people of South Sudan,” Michael said in the brief social media statement posted on his social media twitter account.

“They want to extend the R-TGoNU mandate and legitimize it against its people. We must condemn such a Coup because Power belongs to the people not the crooks,” he added.

CALL FOR TECHNOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

In a statement on Wednesday, five South Sudan opposition groups that are not signatories to the revitalized peace agreement rejected the alleged plans for extension of the transitional period and called for a technocratic government.

The groups include NAS led by General Thomas Cirilo, Real-SPLM led by former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, SSUF led by former army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan, UDRM led by Thomas Tut Doap, NDM-PF led by Emmanuel Ajawin, and SSNMC led by Yatta Lukadi.

They said that they reject any further extension of the transitional period, saying the agreement has failed to address the root causes of the conflict in South Sudan due to President Kiir’s unwillingness to achieve peace in the world’s youngest country.

“The Interim Period of R-TGONU is coming to an end by February 2023, and as he has done in the past, President Salva Kiir Mayardit is now stealthily planning to extend his term in office. The regime is also planning to hold sham elections to steal legitimacy without the mandate expressed through the will of the people,” the five opposition leaders said in the statement.

“Due to this unattainable reality, it is incumbent upon all the stakeholders in the country, from the political organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, women, and youth groups to collectively reject the extension of the period of R-TGONU and decide the future of the country to avoid its collapse into chaos and disintegration,” they added.

They further appealed to regional organizations, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediated the revitalized peace agreement, and powerful South Sudan friends such as the Troika, to support the initiative which they said is aimed at rescuing South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, from collapse.
“We also call on our regional and continental organizations; the East African Community, IGAD and the African Union as well as on the United Nation and members of TROIKA and indeed all the friends of South Sudan to support this inclusive call for the holding of a ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE and to render the necessary support for its success in rescuing South Sudan from total collapse,” they said.