Opposition closes ranks as government pulls in different direction at HLRF talks
By Deng Vanang, Spokesperson of FDP/SSAF
Sunday, May 20, 2018 (PW) — As on-going peace process is entering its final and crucial phase, rival parties have dug in eels so that none is outwitted by the other.
The realpolitik of high stakes sees increasingly unrelenting government prefer the dreaded status quo, which is to co-opt opposition into its ranks and files.
That is through its proposed dysfunctional Assistants to various positions of influence.
Which include, but not limited to its proposed Assistants to Vice Presidents. While leaving coveted Ist and Vice Presidents under its suffocating grips.
In addition to its intent to differ any proposed reforms agenda by the opposition to the later date. Especially, when constitution shall be subjected to further overhaul and ostensibly under its control to either sabotage or manipulate it in its own favor.
As loosely united opposition dismisses government’s position a non-starter and a ploy deliberately choreographed to stonewall structural reforms now and in future.
While closer home in opposition family, SSOA’s line of argument seems more popular with the masses and increasingly prevailing, with SPLM/A-IO firmly supporting it despite a few reconcilable hiccups.
These being the composition of proposed Presidential council and its rationality, position of Ist vice to rank above other Vice presidents and whether or not Kiir and Machar be part of transitional government.
- As for SSOA of which Federal Democratic Party/South Sudan Armed Forces/FDP/SSAF is constituent component, parties taking part in the peace process be defined first before intense negotiations and power sharing allocations so that those who are negotiating know themselves and what each will get at the end.
- It also proposed that it is either technocratic or hybrid government based on rotational Presidential council comprising President, five Vice Presidents: 3 for political parties, 1 for women and 1 for civil society who will make consensus decisions to run the country during an interim period.
- There shall be Prime Minister with two deputies from different parties so that they checkmate one another against conflict of interests, it further proposes.
- Others, as envisioned by SSOA, would be members of Presidential council and all other executive post holders will not participate in post-interim election to avoid tilting to their advantage peace implementation and proposed structural reforms.
- Giving some parties an overwhelming power sharing quotas as was in ARCISS must be ruled out at all costs so that no party can be too powerful than others to derail or fail an otherwise fragile peace process.
This is in the interest of inclusivity as dictated by war situation that has affected the lives of all citizens who are represented by parties they prefer.
Against peace process being the monopoly of a handful few, instead of being a national project of all suffering South Sudanese people in desperate need for an everlasting peace to return.
- Full-pledged federalism with most executive powers and resources devolved to ten original states the right way to go, instead of current one-man made 32 states which pit communities against one another.
- With powers to make more states and other constituencies as the international normal practice be referred to people of South Sudan during the period of constitutional review process.
- Legislative power sharing be formulated right from national level down to county councils, with parties having nearly the same number of seats allocated to them.
Which means, the present levels of legislature be dissolved to give way to negotiated transitional one.
- National security be dissolved forthwith, while armed and civil defense forces be cantoned at 90 Kilometers away from ten states’ capitals so that fresh restructuring reflective of country’s ethnic diversity is carried out.
Being the only proposal to which the government has conceded so far as the publicly declared limited progress reached.
It also means to ensure deadly incident of 7th July, 2016 doesn’t recur with innocent civilians bearing the brunt as usual.
Deng Vanang is the Secretary for Information, Public Relations and Spokesperson for Federal Democratic Party/South Sudan Armed Forces, FDP/SSAF. He is cordially reachable at: dvanang@gmail.com
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