First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has withdrawn from Nasir, upper Nile conflict peace negotiations and called for the release of detained party officials.
SPLM/A-IO halts participation in peace mechanisms, call for release of detained members
Deputy Chairman and Deputy Commander-In-Chief of the SPLM/A-IO who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Oyet Nathaniel Pierino said that the decision was made following the bombardment in Nasir County.
The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) also claim discomfort with lifting of the immunities of the post holders under detention.
According to the statement dated 17th March and extended to the media, Pierino, confirmed the suspension of participation in some security mechanism.
Among the security mechanisms were the Opposition halted their participations are; the Joint Defense Board (JDB), High-Level Political Committee (HLPC), Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), and Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) pending the release of all political detainees.
“After a thorough assessment of the credibility and composition of the Mechanisms, Political and Security environment of the Peace Implementation Mechanisms, and after wide consultation, all the participation of the members of the said Security and Political mechanisms is hereby frozen with immediate effect until all the SPLM/SPLA-IO Political Detainees are unconditionally released,” said Oyet.
In spirit of peace implementation, the Opposition remain committed to participate in Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation commission (RJMEC) to push for the release of the Opposition members under detention.
“The Members of the said Mechanism (mechanisms were participation is hated) shall only attend RJMEC Plenary Sessions to affirm the unconditional release of their colleagues. We hold the SPLM-IG and their security apparatus responsible for the safety and life of all detainees.” Oyet stated in the statement.
Oyet claimed that harassment, arrests, and detention of Opposition members as well other members of the public became rampant and there is need for those behind to stop.
“This act shall never be tolerated in South Sudan under any circumstance. The act of arresting and detaining a Signatory to the R-ARCSS and the ongoing political witch-hunts continue to threaten the very essence and the existence of the Revitalized Agreement,” Oyet expressed.
“We once again call for the immediate unconditional release of the political detainees and release of the First Vice President from any confinement.” He added
He called on the African Union, United Nations, Troika, European Union, IGAD Partners Forum, and the C5 Countries push the peace parties to dialogue and end confrontations.
“we also call upon you to visit the African Union Commission Report on South Sudan (The Obasanjo Report) and hold the government and individual committing atrocities and Human Rights Violations in South Sudan to account,” the statement said.
He condemned the presence of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan citing that it violates the peace agreement.
“Their deployment around the country complicates the geopolitical situation of South Sudan and is tantamount to a declaration of War on the peace partners and the people of South Sudan by the two governments.” He said
On Monday, information minister and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth announced in Juba that the government had revoked the immunity of detained opposition officials, declared war against the White Army, and issued a warning for civilians to evacuate Nasir
In a statement on Tuesday, SPLM-IO deputy chairman OyetNathaniel Pierino said the group had immediately suspended its participation in the Joint Defense Board (JDB), High-Level Political Committee (HLPC), Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), and Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) until the release of the detainees. He cited the detentions against SPLM-IO officials in Juba, the deployment of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in the country.
