IGAD officially invites Riek Machar to meet President Kiir in Addis Ababa

PRESS RELEASE: ON THE INVITATION OF DR. RIEK MACHAR BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF ETHIOPIA – H.E. DR. ABIY AHMED ALI

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 (PW) — The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) acknowledges receipt of the invitation letter sent by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, requesting the presence of the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO), Dr. Riek Machar Teny-dhuorangun, for IGAD led face-to-face talks with President Salva Kiir on the 20th of June, 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Movement welcomes this invitation and salutes the courage of IGAD for reaching this prudent and timely decision, it will go a long way in building confidence in the peace process.

The SPLM/SPLA (IO) would also like to take this opportunity to assure our colleagues in the opposition and the people of South Sudan at large that the SPLM/SPLA (IO) views the face-to-face meeting between our Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir, as a means to move the all-inclusive peace process forward and not as an end in itself. The SPLM/SPLA (IO) is fully committed to the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) as the only way to bring about fundamental change in our country and we shall not betray the aspirations of our people, for the trappings of power.

The SPLM/SPLA (IO) reiterates our full commitment to the peace process and to a negotiated settlement and shall continue to engage positively with IGAD and all friends of South Sudan interested in helping our people achieve peace. We shall also continue to negotiate in good faith to restore peace to our people through the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF). However, in light of the regime’s intransigence, continued violation of the CoH and the continuation and evolution of their genocidal practices, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) reserves the natural right of self-defense.

CDE MABIOR GARANG DE MABIOR (CHAIRMAN)

SPLM NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.

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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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