The South Sudanese government under the leadership of president Salva Kiir has been battling to contain an armed rebellion in the country since December 2013 (Photo: Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)

In his speech, president Kiir said he would not accept SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar to regain his former position of vice-president in a power-sharing deal proposed by the IGAD mediators.

He also rejected the proposal for two separate armies during interim period prior to their amalgamation into one national army.

Kiir also rebuffed reforms and federalism demanded by the opposition and downplayed the threat of sanctions by the international community.

In response, SPLM-IO’s chairman for national committee of information and public relations, Mabior Garang de Mabior, said Kiir’s speech indicated anti-peace agenda and that he deserved to step down.

“The SPLM/SPLA would like to remind the people of South Sudan and the world at large that the position of the SPLM/SPLA is that which has been recently echoed by the world; that Salva Kiir has lost legitimacy in light of the country’s descent into anarchy,” Mabior said in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

“In light of the barbaric loss of live and property, we have called for president Kiir to step down, while also recognizing for this to be done with mechanisms acceptable in civilized societies,” he said.

He however revealed that the SPLM-IO would accept Kiir in the interim government of national unity only if the South Sudanese president reciprocally accepted the rebel leader Machar as first vice president or prime minister with executive powers.

Mabior also echoed the demand to maintain separate armies during the interim period, saying this would also ensure transformation of the national army into a professional security organ.

The son of the founder of the SPLM, John Garang de Mabior, also argued that the current army in South Sudan is composed of alliance of militia groups loyal to different politicians in Juba.

He further warned that failure by president Kiir to reconsider his position would mean escalation of war.

President Kiir and rebel leader Machar failed to agree on almost all the outstanding issues which led to the collapse of their direct negotiations in Addis Ababa on 6 March.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which mediates the talks between the warring parties said the process would resume in April with expected expanded mediation to include African Union (AU), Troika countries of United States, United Kingdom and Norway as well as the United Nations (UN).

Chances to end the 15-month old war remain slim as the two warring parties continue to violate the cessation of hostilities agreement which they signed since 23 January last year as fighting reportedly intensifies in the oil-rich Upper Nile region.