By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
January 26, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan rebel movement, SPLA-in Opposition (SPLM-IO) and Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have agreed to work together on peace and other political matters.
According to a press release SPLM-IO leader, Riek Machar issued on Tuesday an agreement was reached to work to start a new page in relations between the two sides.
The agreement was reached after SPLM-IO leader, Riek Machar and Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, concluded discussions behind closed doors on a range of issues relating to peace in South Sudan and other bilateral issues.
The two sides have also agreed on consolidation of peace in the region through the implementation of Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS).
The issues, according to the press release include the issue of the 28 states and how it is in violation of the ARCISS, and how it has impeded the formation of Transitional government of National unity.
The other issues mentioned are the lifting of the state emergency which Machar said is restricting the movement of the opposition’s advance team and the implementation of provisions in the ARCISS regarding Sudanese rebels.
The SPLM-IO chief has also responded to a statement issued by President Salva Kiir with regard to normalizing relations with Sudan.
The first vice president designate said his movement welcomes Kiir’s initiative however he said the process of normalization ties with Khartoum should be expedited through the full implementation of provisions in the ARCISS.
He added normalization process should also be based on the implementation cooperation agreement signed in September 2012, which included the creation of a buffer zone along the North-South Sudan common boundary.
“The SPLM-IO would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our full commitment to the implementation o f the ARCISS in letter and sprit” Machar said.
Machar left the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for Uganda on Sunday night on the invitation of President Museveni.
The meeting between Machar and Museveni comes only days after the two SPLM warring factions failed to form a transitional government by the Friday deadline set by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC).
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both signatory parties to immediately resolve existing outstanding issues and quickly form a transitional government of national unity.
Machar previously met with Museveni in Khartoum in September 2011, but this was his first visit to Uganda since war erupted in the young nation in December 2013.
Meanwhile members of Machar’s delegation who had earlier been blocked in Juba from traveling to Kampala were allowed to leave and reached Uganda Monday evening.
(ST)