Troika countries turn down Kiir’s invitation to witness extension of transitional period

JUBA – The Troika Countries (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) have told President Salva Kiir Mayardit that they will not attend today’s event in which President Sava Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny would announce the extension of transitional period.

Yesterday, the presidency issued a statement inviting the media and representatives of the diplomatic community to come to the Freedom Hall to witness the extension of the transitional period which is expected to be for at least 24 months.

But in a letter addressed to President Kiir, the Troika countries said they will not attend the function, saying some stakeholders would not be available.

“While we understand that your transitional government is discussing a roadmap to deliver the many outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS, we regret that we are unable to attend the function at the Freedom Hall tomorrow morning at Ambassador or Chargé d’Affaires-level,” the Troika said in the letter seen by Sudans Post.

“Whether a roadmap and an extension are seen as legitimate by the people of South Sudan and the international Community will depend on an inclusive consultation process. Our position will therefore need to be informed by whether such consultations take place,” they added.

The letter was signed by William Flens, US Charge d’Affaires, Siv Kaspersen, Ambassador of Norway and Jonney Baxter the Ambassador of the United Kingdom.

“The roadmap must demonstrate how another extension would differ from the previous ones and include steps for clear progress in setting up the institutions and mechanisms necessary to hold elections. Moreover, we believe that involving other stakeholders is essential to achieving the success and recognition your government wish to achieve,” they said.

“We cannot guarantee that we will be able to support a roadmap or an extension in other circumstances.

“We understand that all relevant parties to the R-ARCSS have not been included in consultations about the contents of the roadmap and an extension to the transition period. The R-ARCSS requires all signatories be consulted should there be an amendment to its provisions.

“Therefore, we are writing to you (President Kiir) personally to express our profound concern that fully inclusive consultations must take place with civil society, faith-based groups, business, women’s groups, youth representatives, eminent persons, and international partners before the R-ARCSS is amended. We wanted to tell you this privately, in advance of having to say anything publicly.

“While it is for all the parties to the Agreement to determine the roadmap’s precise details, it is important that it sets out a credible pathway towards achieving all the goals of the R-ARCSS.

“Elections are vitally important as they will allow South Sudan’s people to choose their government, but elections are not a goal in themselves: a roadmap must include the establishment of permanent and inclusive national institutions.”