“Juba Faction” Taking a Stand at Addis Talks
Ex-political detainees decrying the present of UPDF in South Sudan; is this another party to the talks in Addis or a mere diversion by the opposition (or even the government) to muddle waters and derail peace talk in Addis? Is Pagan Amum or Madam Nyandeeng (see how prominent she is in that picture with President Kenyatta) the leader of the new faction? Is this a blow to President Kiir, Riek Machar or both, both of whom had been courting them?
SUCCESSFUL TALKS DEPEND ON RELEASE OF 4 DETAINEES
South Sudan’s former cabinet minister Deng Alor Kuol said the success of the talks depends on how President Salva Kiir’s government responds to demands for release of the remaining political detainees to allow them take part in the talks.
“Yes, we are in Addis [Ababa]. We came on Wednesday evening from Nairobi and we are now taking part in the talks as a group of our own,” Kuol exclusively told Sudan Tribune Friday.
Blaming the two said for the armed conflict and the killing of thousands of civilians, Kuol further said they did not want to associate themselves with the warring parties.
“On our side, we see that this conflict should have been avoided from the start if we had listened to ourselves as leaders,” he said stressing, “What is important now is the release of four detainees if you want successful and meaning peace talks”.
The government in Juba has maintained that it would not release the remaining political detainees until all the investigations and other legal processes are completed and trial taken place.
“The government has repeatedly expressed commitment to resolving this conflict. Our delegation is already in the Addis. They have been there since Sunday because talks were supposed to start on Monday but we were surprised that the rebel gave preconditions for the negotiations”, presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny told reporters on Friday.
South Sudan’s foreign minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said in London this week that those detained by the government should be described as “suspected coup makers” rather than “political detainees” despite the fact that none of them have been charged with any crime.
The second phase of the talks focusing on political and national reconciliation is expected to resume on Saturday.
The venue of talks has moved to Debrezeit, a town outside the capital Addis Ababa. However, Sudan Tribune, understands that none of the delegations had not left for the resort town by Friday evening.
The talks were due to restart on Monday, but were delayed until the seven former political prisoners accused of plotting a coup, including former ministers of justice and finance, arrived in Ethiopia.
source: (ST)
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