IO chapter in Egypt condemns “disgraceful” JCE statement calling for end to revitalized peace deal

CAIRO – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) chapter in Cairo has issued a statement condemning what it said is a disgraceful statement from the Jieng Council of Elders that urged regional peace guarantors to reconsider the revitalized peace agreement.

Earlier this week, the Jieng Council of Elders issued a statement, first distancing itself from the ongoing conflict and then calling on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediated the revitalized, to reconsider the deal and allow the national dialogue to supplement it.

“We in the SPLM-IO chapter in the Arab Republic of Egypt would like to condemn the infamous statement of Jieng council of elders in the strongest terms possible and we would like to assure all South Sudanese citizens that despite hypocritical attempts made by J.C.E to escape the rancorous responsibility they bears in social, economic and political shortcomings our country has been going through for eight years now, and in light of this it’s worth noting that the J.C.E still bear a burden of huge responsibility for all tragic incidents carried out by Salva Kiir regime upon their directives in South Sudan after 2013 massacre up to date,” the strong-worded SPLM-IO Egypt chapter statement signed by its chairperson Lam Gatdet reads in part.

The statement stressed that there is need for unity among the people of South Sudan which the statement said will allow for successful implementation of the revitalized peace agreement believed by many to revive the country to normalcy.

“The only possible mean to achieve a just and honorable peace in South Sudan is to unite our rank and file for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement,” the statement said.

“This task is not that easy but collectively as nation we can achieve it and let us refrain from the negative campaigns that may frustrate and provoke the peace partners such as the idea of national dialogue which has never been inclusive since the beginning it’s the interest of war promoter like J.C.E to divert the attention of people of South Sudan from peace implementation to  unpopular dialogue,” it added.