Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:28:56 +0200
S. Sudanese rival factions sign framework agreement in Tanzania
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October 21, 2014 (ARUSHA) – Factions of the ruling party in South Sudan, the
Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM), have signed a framework agreement
which aims to address the root causes of the conflict that erupted in
mid-December and plunged the country into violent crisis.
The document was signed on Monday in the Tanzanian northern town of Arusha
and witnessed by the two principal rival leaders, namely president Salva
Kiir, who chairs the SPLM in government and Riek Machar, former vice
president and leader of the SPLM-in-Opposition.
SPLM of former detainees also participated in the talks and inked the
document as well.
President Jakaya Kikwete chairs the Tanzanian ruling party, the Chama Cha
Mapinduzi (CCM), which facilitated the intra-SPLM dialogue.
Delegates of the three rival groups of the South Sudanese ruling party met
in Arusha from 12th to 18th of this month to try to come up with the
framework in the process hosted by the Tanzanian ruling party.
The framework agreement highlighted preamble, principles, objectives and
agenda that will be discussed in the intra-party dialogue. It also included
rules of engagement and role of CCM.
However, it said the process is distinct from the peace talks which takes
place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“The parties recognize that the Arusha process is essentially an intra-SPLM
dialogue and is separate and distinct from the IGAD mediated peace talks
among South Sudanese stakeholders. Yet the parties are fully aware that the
two processes, although separate, are mutually interdependent and
reinforcing,” partly reads a communiqué.
The document recommits the parties to the principles of democracy, internal
democracy especially on matters of decision making, elections, succession
and peaceful transfer of power.
It further calls for “unity of SPLM as a safeguard against fragmentation of
the country along ethnic and regional fault lines.”
“Initiate measures to stop the war, lead the government and the people of
South Sudan towards peace, stability and prosperity,” it further urges.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to the intra-party dialogue that
would reunite the divided historical party.
The document was signed by senior officials of the rival factions, namely
Daniel Awet Akot, Peter Adwok Nyaba and Pagan Amum Okech, representing SPLM
in government, SPLM-in-Opposition and SPLM former detainees, respectively.
When contacted for some clarity on the meaning of the document inked by the
three SPLM rival parties, Machar’s spokesperson James Gatdet Dak, said the
agreement served as a roadmap for further negotiations in trying to reunite
the ruling party and end the war.
“It is a roadmap agreement with guiding principles and objectives for
further discussions and possible resolutions,” Dak told Sudan Tribune when
contacted on Monday.
“The governance crisis within the SPLM gave birth to the 15 December
violence which has unfortunately plunged the country into the current
national crisis or civil war. The intra-party dialogue provides a supplement
to the peace talks in Addis Ababa to try and address the root causes of this
conflict within the ruling party,” he added.
Also, Dak added that the framework agreement has recognised the need to
“revitalise, reorganise, strengthen and restore the SPLM to its vision,
principles, political direction and core values.”
Analysts, however, say the dialogue, could provide an avenue for progress on
key issues, including deep divisions between South Sudanese party leaders,
if respected.
"Progress on party politics in Arusha is likely good news for the peace
process. The fear is that it might come at a high price for civil society
and other stakeholders that have been struggling for months for meaningful
engagement at the IGAD-led peace talks," said Justine Fleischner, a Sudan
and South Sudan policy consultant at Enough Project.
Akshaya Kumar, a Sudan and South Sudan policy analyst at Enough Project said
the new Arusha forum on party politics must tackle issues beyond elite power
sharing so as to fulfil its promise of being mutually reinforcing of the
peace talks in Addis Ababa.
"South Sudan’s ruling SPLM is facing much more than a leadership schism;
after 10 months of internecine war, its very legitimacy is at stake," said
Kumar.
JPEG - 99.3 kb
SPLM factions sign framework agreement, Arusha, October 20, 2014. Peter
Adwok (right), Daniel Awet (center), CCM SG, Abdulraman Kinana, and Pagan
Amum (left). Behind are the principal leaders (Photo ST)
(image/jpeg attachment: image003.jpg)