IGAD warns splintering of Machar’s group could jeopardize peace deal

JUBA — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) a regional bloc which mediated the 2018 peace has warned that the splintering of Machar’s umbrella, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement /Army in Opposition could jeopardize smooth implementation of the 2018 peace deal.

The two factions of SPLA-IO clashed last week at Magenis leaving 34 soldiers dead, just days after Machar’s rivals in his SPLA-IO said they had ousted him as party leader and head of its armed wing.

The group of top opposition commanders led by former SPLA-IO chief of staff  Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual accused Machar of nepotism and lacking strong leadership.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Juba this afternoon, the visiting IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, said the SPLA-IO infighting pose fears of a possible spillover effect on the fragile peace deal.

“The issue of SPLA-IO is an internal party issue but according to the peace agreement signed by all signatories, SPLA-IO is one of the major signatory, if something happens to that signatory, in one way or another, it will affect the peace process, it is not only an issue of one party, it is the issue of south Sudanese and also a regional issue,” Gebeyehu said at Friday’s press conference in Juba.

“We encourage this thing (conflict) be resolved internally, that will be the best way to solve this issue, if not it could have spillover effect on the peace process,” Gebeyehu added.

The Executive Secretary of the regional bloc express concern deep concerned over the slow implementation of security arrangements.

“The progress is very slow in the implementation of security the arrangement, we express our concern for the country’s leadership such as the President Kiir, and First Vice President, Dr. Machar that security arrangement the implementation phase is not going as the plan that is really a challenge that South Sudanese are facing now,” he said.

“We urged the leadership to fully implement the security arrangements, graduating troop as quick as possible and also sharing of military unified command,” he added.

According to the 2018 peace deal, the unified forces – composed of opposition and government armies – were supposed to be graduated before the end of the pre-transitional period which ended in February last year with Machar’s appointment as First Vice President.

The forces were to take charge of security during the ongoing transitional period in the country.

However, the government says owing to lack of funds; the forces haven’t yet been graduated.