Yiep Joseph
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Amb. Emmanuel Ajawin, the Chairman of the National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) and Coordinator of NSSOG. [Photo: courtesy]
The peace talks bringing together the government of South Sudan and the non-signatory parties may have hit the road with pre-negotiation engagements, but as The City Review now ascertains, there are still pending concerns raised by the holdout groups, some of which may drag the process.
Last week, President Salva Kiir met with the newly formed committee to negotiate with the holdout groups in Kenya with the hope of resuming the pre-negotiation talks this month, according to a statement obtained from the Office of the President.
“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday met the government peace committee, which is set to negotiate with the holdout groups in Nairobi soon,” the statement read.
But some non-signatory parties are now questioning the Kenyan government—the mediator— and South Sudan, is trying to speed up the commencement of the talks without addressing some of their questions.
In an exclusive interview with The City Review, Amb. Emmanuel Ajawin, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) and Coordinator of NSSOG, argued that for pre-negotiation to start, it would require the Kenyan government to first respond to a lot of questions.
He alleged that to date, President William Ruto had not replied to the grievances of the holdout groups nor sent them the drafted guidelines for the talks.
“We (the holdout group) have raised the issue of venue with the mediators. Until the organic process completes its circle, that is, the pre-negotiation consultations. I don’t know how the initiative will succeed,” he said.
Ajawin revealed that the process meant to start the pre-negotiation process is still not completed between the government and the holdout groups.
“We have not yet completed the national process of the pre-negotiation consultation, which is very important to us so that we have clarity as to what the purpose of the mediation is and what it intends to achieve,” he said.
He added that the group also wanted to know Rome had been abandoned as the venue of the talks.
“We need to know why the Rome Initiative has been abandoned, and we also want to know what is new from the government. Does the government have a new political will?” he said.
Ajawin said the holdout group is waiting for how the pre-negotiation will be scheduled and when it will start.
“As three organizations are concerned, pre-negotiations consultations haven’t started yet, leaving alone talks,” he said.
He added that the Kenyan government reached out to the government in regards to the draft framework on the talks.
“I honestly don’t know the intentions of the Kenyan mediators. Whether they want a comprehensive peace agreement that is inclusive or just interested in some of the opposition organizations,” he said.
In an interview with The City Review, Garang Malual, spokesperson for the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), stated that his group continues to wait to be called by the Kenyan government for the start of the talks.
More optimism
He expressed optimism that the talks may resume this month, as alleged by other stakeholders.
“We expect the talks to commence this month, although we are not so sure when or which date is correct. Those details are with the mediator, the Kenyan Government; for that matter, we are waiting for them to notify us on the exact date,” he said.
He added that his team is ready for what Kenya will say about the talk and when the wills start.
Last month, the members of the Non-Signatories South Sudanese Opposition Group (NSSOG) were divided over the transfer of the venue of the peace talks with the South Sudanese government from Rome to Kenya.
Amb. Ajawin revealed in a separate interview that the group failed to reach an agreement over the proposed new venue.
“The NSSOG leaders met on the 24th to discuss their response to the letter. Although we wanted the leaders to have the same position, that will not be the case. Some of the leaders, I think two out of five, don’t have a problem with the venue and actually accepted the Kenyan mediation,” Ajawin said.
However, when contacted to comment on whether the group is still divided over the same issue, he told this reporter: “I hope not.”
At the same time, the National Salvation Front under Thomas Cirilo experienced division within both the military and political wings in the past few months, according to the report, a move rejected by the group.
Nearly a month ago, Kenya’s President Willian Ruto sent an envoy, Mr. Charles Keter, with a letter detailing the mediation model, which was received by President Kiir.
“The letter contains the framework for resolving the differences between Juba and the holdout groups, noting that this signifies a renewed commitment towards promoting regional peace and stability,” he said, as quoted by the PPU.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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