Kiir told to publicize peace roadmap as activist expresses concerns over exclusion of other parties

JUBA — President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been told to publicize the peace roadmap that was presented to him on Friday, as a prominent activist expresses concerns over reports that the roadmap was only developed by the ruling SPLM party excluding other signatories to the revitalized peace agreement.

In his speech marking 11th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, President Kiir said a roadmap was already developed to guide the parties in the implementation of the remaining provisions of the agreement, paving way for the would-be elections slated for end of transitional period.

On Friday, the presidency announced that a committee formed by Kiir to develop the roadmap has handed over their report to the president and will be presented to a presidency meeting next week, likely on Monday.

But the public is outraged after the presidency said the committee members are presidential security advisor, Tut Gatluak, Cabinet Minister Martin Elia, and information minister Michael Makuei Lueth, all of whom president’s allies and group members that signed the revitalized peace agreement.

When contacted by Sudans Post, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, said his organization is concerned over the process in which the roadmap was developed and said it appears to be excluding other signatories to the revitalized peace agreement.

“CEPO expresses deep concern on the process used to develop the roadmap for the implementation of the pending tasks of the R-ARCSS,” Yakani said.

“The spirit of engagement on the implementation of the peace agreement is a decision-making process that should be through consensus and  consultations. This peace implementation has to be under the principle of inclusive process,” the activist added.

UNACCEPTABLE

The activist further warned that attempts to manipulate the development of the roadmap by excluding other peace partners was unacceptable and urged the president’s office to publicize the roadmap submitted to the president on Friday for the public to debate.

“Any exclusive attempt for the roadmap development is unacceptable and IGAD and African Union (AU) advocacy committee that composed of Nigeria, Algeria, Chad, Rwanda and South Africa should ensure that the roadmap for implementing the pending tasks of the R-ARCSS is inclusive,” Yakani said.

“The roadmap presented to H.E. the President should be publicized and undergo an inclusive process for endorsement. One party signature to the R-ARCSS cannot impose their own developed roadmap on the other parties and stakeholders,” he added.

“NOT CONSULTED”

Yakani, a signatory to the agreement on behalf of civil society organizations, said he “was not consulted” and warned that unilateral actions on the revitalized peace agreement will likely push back South Sudan friends supporting the implementation process of the agreement and further cited the recent US decision to suspend its funding to peace monitoring mechanism.

“Lack of political inclusivity in implementing the peace agreement likely demobilize a lot of friends of South Sudan from aiding the process for the peace agreement (R-ARCSS) like recent USA decision of suspending funding to the peace agreement’s implementation mechanism. This is a serious and this will make the pathway for seeking peace and stability long,” he added.

“The search for peace and stability in South Sudan is a national collective responsibility of parties and stakeholders. CEPO with due respect and honor is urging president to direct for the publication of the developed roadmap document. It is public property that requires public inputs,” he added.