Machar admits parties lack political will to implement peace deal

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President and main armed opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has admitted that parties to the revitalized peace agreement lack political will to implement the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

In his key remarks during the opening session of the 6th SPLM/SPLA-IO National Conference in Juba this morning, Machar disclosed that the parties to the agreement  lack political will to mobilize resources for implementation of the agreement.

“There have been no activities of the agreement that required the decision of the parties on the mobilization of essential resources for implementation of the peace agreement,” Dr. Riek said.

“Some of these activities include devolution of powers and resources. Reconstitution of Transitional National legislature reforms, completion of R-TGONU, national healing and reconciliation, opening of humanitarian corridors, and opening of political space,” he added.

The prominent opposition leader said the country lacks political space that allows opposition parties to exercise their freedom of expression.

“In order to implement the peace agreement and ensure transition to democracy, there is a need to create a conducive environment that allows parties to exercise freedom of expression, association and assembly,” he said.

“Political space is critical for the process of truth, reconciliation and healing and peace dissemination and for conferences like what we are not doing,” Machar added.