The Position of WES on the IGAD Plus Proposed Compromise Agreement

Position of the Government and People of Western Equatoria State on the IGAD Plus Proposed Compromise Agreement

Preliminary

August 13, 2015 (SSB) — We, the Government and People of Western Equatoria (represented by various elders, intellectuals and community leaders in WES) consulted together on the 7th August 2015 on the proposed IGAD plus compromise agreement and came up with our position on the proposed peace deal, important points of which are presented here.

The Government and People of Western Equatoria State welcome any peace initiative that will bring a lasting peace to the Republic of South Sudan. We appreciate the IGAD Plus peace proposal as an effort that comes at the right time.

We trust the Government Peace Negotiators who represent the entire Country in the peace process that they will articulate and represent the interest of the people of the Republic of South Sudan in the on-going peace process so as to bring about peace to this deadly conflict that has already claimed many lives and destroyed the social cohesion of our communities.

We believe that the national interest is paramount in attaining peace and so is the interest of the international community who are tirelessly working to ensure that this conflict come to an end sooner rather than later.

Having said that however; the Government and People of Western Equatoria State would like to make the following observations based on the concept that the IGAD plus Proposed Peace Initiative is guided by the principle of “Compromise”:

GOVERNANCE:

1. In Governance, we believe that the Arusha Peace Accord is an agreement that has been accepted by all factions of SPLM as One Political Party and therefore the idea of power sharing based on the groups within the SPLM undermines the spirit of Arusha and all the efforts put into that agreement by the regional leaders.
2. Given that Arusha Agreement is now being implemented, we believe that the distribution of power shouldn’t be based on who controls which region but should be based on the spirit of Arusha agreement where power is shared between SPLM as a family and other political parties.
3. We propose that there should be a lean government at the national level to devolve more resources to the States so as to precipitate development to the masses and this will reduce instability.
4. On the issue of the permanent Constitution making process, the Government and people of Western Equatoria State calls for the establishment of Constitutional Conference to discuss and promulgate the permanent constitution for the Republic of South Sudan.
5. The Government and people of Western Equatoria State is of the considered opinion that Federalism should be tested during the Transitional period beginning with the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) and thereafter enshrine in the permanent constitution

PERMANENT CEASERFIRE AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENT:

1. The Government of Western Equatoria State welcomes any serious commitment to permanent ceasefire so as to create necessary environment for the implementation of peace agreement and to allow complete access to conflict affected areas to deliver humanitarian assistance to our needy population.
2. We accept that soon after the signing of the peace agreement, there will be a pre-interim period of three months (90) days during which reintegration of the opposition and government forces shall undergo restructuring into one national army. This means that there shall be separate commands for the purposes of restructuring and integration for these 90 days only.
3. We further want to add here that the need for reforms and re-structuring of all other organised forces into professional national force during the transitional period is paramount, as this will pave way for the establishment of National Forces of the Republic of South Sudan.
4. On the issue of the Demilitarization of the National Capital, we strongly believe that if South Sudanese truly have agreed for peace, why then should there be concerns about the demilitarization of the National Capital? The National Capital does not need to have so many army personnel but a limited number of soldiers that will professionally build trust and confidence of the citizens. While the police and other organised forces will ensure that there is law and order in the Capital.

Signed on behalf of WES Government and People.

Hon Eng. Charles Barnaba Kisanga
WES Minister of Information and Communications and spokesperson for WES Government.
Yambio.

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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