SPLM-IO accuses Kiir’s group of buying time to maintain status quo

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has accused the SPLM-IG under President Salva Kiir Mayardit of deliberately buying time to maintain the status quo.

This comes after the presidency said in a statement that the country won’t be holding elections in 2022 as result of the delay in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement signed by Kiir and Machar in September 2018.

In a statement, Dut Majokdit, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council (NLC) urged IGAD to pressure Kiir for him to commit to the implementation of the peace agreement so that elections are held on time.

“It’s very unfortunately for the parties to have completed one year without the formation of  the reconstituted parliament. Juba is busy with Sudan Peace talks and Revitalized Agreement has no progress so far. Khartoum is the guarantor to R-ARCSS but they use Juba as a gateway to secure their peace in our while we forget our own,” he said.

“IGAD should push and pressure the ITGONU to announce the formation of the parliament and resolve the outstanding issues to rescue the agreement instead of calling for Kiir and Machar for peace retreat in Addis Ababa,” he added.

The senior opposition official further accused the IG of buying time for the purpose of continuing the maintenance of the status quo.

“The SPLM-IG is buying time to postpone elections and continue to maintain the status quo. It’s time for the country to embrace peace and stability through the implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit and anything out of it would be unbearable,” he added.