IGAD’s Ludicrous Power Sharing Percentages
David Mayen Ayarbior, Juba, South Sudan
June 23, 2015 (SSB) — This brief comments intend to criticize the negative role being currently played by IGAD in its futile attempt to bring peace to South Sudan, especially its proposed power sharing percentages.
This is informed by IGAD envoys’ lack of in-depth understating of the nature of the conflict currently burning the country, and it could easily be observed in the regional organization’s flip-flopping over its multiple proposals since the beginning of negotiations.
We can all recall that IGAD had first proposed the position of Prime Minister to Dr. Riek before turning to First Vice President. The last power sharing proposal of 53% government, 33% rebels, and 14% former detainees might be the last-straw that broke the camel’s back, as it were, in terms of exposing the envoy’s incompetence as mediators.
It has exposed the total ignorance of IGAD envoys of how permanent peace could be brought to South Sudan; no wonder the organization is calling for help from Troika and AU.
Instead of 33% to Riek Machar, whose forces consist of elements from parts and not all of one region, any reasonable and competent mediator would at least propose that huge percentage to be given to all other political parties and shared with other sectors of South Sudan’s societies such as civil society organizations and professional fraternities like media associations, trade unions and business groups, and various other associations.
IGAD has failed to know how to combine Arusha and IGAD Peace initiatives. Its proposed percentages are both disastrous and a demonstration of the envoys’ failure to understand the root causes of the conflict.
It would make sense if those percentages are applied to the composition of the coming Transitional Government of National Unity rather than to SPLM’s three factions. IGAD has failed to differentiate between what should be an intra-party power sharing formula and a different formula for a Government of National Unity.
Because of such lack of understating by incompetent mediators, our country is being pushed towards a cliff by the very people who were instrumental in or the midwives of its birth as an independent state. They include IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, and Friends of South Sudan whose advice and writings have always influenced foreign policy considerations across the world.
It is currently at the edge of a cliff and could spiral down into the abyss in a free-fall manner unparalleled in Africa if nothing is done, and quickly. Our propensity for violence and hatred is intense, hence true leaders must guard against our collapse as a country, and they must do so today.
You can reach the author, Mayen D.M.A Ayarbior, through his email: (dmayend@yahoo.com)
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