IO-Riek Press Release on the 2nd Phase of the High Level Revitalization Forum
SPLM/A Media Centre, Kenya Office
Press Release from SPLM-10: The Status Of The Ongoing IGAD Led – High-LevelRevitalization Forum (HLRF)
February 20, 2018 (SSB) —- The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) would like to inform members of the movement and the South Sudanese public at large, of the adjournment of Phase II of the HLRF. This is not to say that the peace talks have collapsed, the stakeholders at the talks have initialed the areas agreed upon and we shall continue in phase III with the revitalization process. The SPLM/SPLA (IO) assures the people of South Sudan of our full commitment to ending the war through a negotiated settlement.
This is shown by our very presence at the HLRF despite the government’s lack of political will to reach such a settlement. The very fact that the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) needs revitalization, is itself a sign of this lack of political will, as they have failed to implement it.
The Movement would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and inform our people that despite our full commitment to the peace process, “one hand can’t clap”, as it were. The allegations being made in the media by our partners in peace, that “the opposition is making impossible demands”, is simply false. What the regime is calling “impossible demands”, is the very revitalization of ARCISS. The simple truth is that the SPLM/SPLA (IO) is for radical reforms in the country, while the regime wants to maintain the status quo; which is untenable.
The public is aware that the regime refused to sign the Declaration of Principles (DoP), which we negotiated together. As of now the regime is currently not bound by any rules, there is no basis for negotiations. The reason the regime refused to sign the DoP, was Article 28, which is a provision in the DoP for punitive measures against potential spoilers.
This fact has emboldened the regime and they have continued their military offensive on SPLM/SPLA (IO) positions, despite having signed the CoH of December 21, 2017. This has become the modus operandi of the regime, as we had signed a COH on January 23, 2014 and again had to recommit to it on May 5, 2014; the regime even violated their own unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir on May 22, 2017.
The SPLM/SPLA (IO) reserves the natural right of self defence in light of the regime’s belligerent methods of ending the war. The SPLM/SPLA (IO) also advises our partners in peace, to reconsider this policy, as a military victory will be impossible.
CDE MABIOR GARANG MABIOR (CHAIRMAN)
SPLM NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.
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