Kiir signs compromise agreement, with reservations

President Salva Kiir Mayardit signed the IGAD Compromise Peace Agreement on Wednesday, August 26, a week after his former deputy and leader of the SPLM/A-IO Riek Machar and IGAD guarantors signed the document in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Kiir signed the document at Freedom Hall in Juba in the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn, whose country has been hosting the IGAD-led negotiations for the resolution of an over 20 months devastating conflict.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Sudan’s Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh and foreign envoys to South Sudan attended the signing ceremony in Juba.

National, regional and international pressure mounted on South Sudan’s government to sign or face sanctions. However, it is reported that high ranking officers within the national army, the SPLA, were against the ratification of the agreement.

Kiir told regional and international guests that he was signing the deal with a list of 16 reservations, which he emphasised, should be addressed during the implementation process of the agreement. The agreement, for example, reinstates Riek Machar as Vice President of a transitional government of national unity to be formed.

In a copy seen by The Niles, the reservations were based on the position taken by the government, the governors of the 10 states, political parties, the general public and civil society. In this regard, the government is yet to consult and solicit the views of the army, national security and other organised forces, members of the national legislature and traditional leaders,” states the document.

Among the key concerns of President Kiir, is the demilitarisation of the capital Juba in a period of 90 days upon the signing. He argued that the act would leave the capital vulnerable, adding that Juba should be deleted from a list of cantonment areas indicated in item Article 2.2 of the Compromise Agreement.

The President also regretted the reference to the army as the National Defence Forces of South Sudan (NDFSS)”. He further stated that a provision demanding to disarm the rebel groups SPLM-N, JEM, SLA-Minawi and SLA-Abdul Wahid, fighting the Sudanese government, were unfortunate. The provision is intended to incriminate the government of South Sudan, even though it is not supporting rebels of Sudan and should be deleted,” the paper noted.

Among the reactions to the Kiir’s signing, a source who wants to remain anonymous, said: Let me hope the agreement will be implemented. You cannot re-negotiated an internationally witnessed agreement once you have signed.”

Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore, said the reservations will be discussed during the implementation process of the peace pact. We don’t know if some issues were put in the compromise document by mistake. Changing the name of the national army? I don’t know who did that,” Lobong said. He also stated that a country disarming rebels of another country hasn’t happened anywhere in the world.

Lobong, the only Greater Equatoria governor who stayed in office in the recent removal of governors by President Kiir, said that the international community and other stakeholders should avail funds to implement the relocation of the armed forces outside the 25 kilometres radius from Juba. Relocating the barracks cannot be done in only three months. It requires facilities such as water, health facilities and schools, because the forces live with their families,” he added.

He refuted allegations of rebel activities in his state, but speculated that the perpetrators could be sympathisers of the SPLM/A-IO. Lobong said that if indeed it was the rebels launching attacks in the Magwi area, as they claimed after, then it was a violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement (COH) earlier signed by the parties to the conflict.

South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya, John Andruga Duku, applauded the signing by Kiir, calling it a manifestation that Kiir was not for war but peace in the country. Duku explained that there were loopholes in the agreement and the people should focus on addressing them.

Commenting on the group of generals that recently broke away from Riek Machar’s rebel group, the envoy said the defectors should have their concerns addressed, or otherwise they would be, what he referred to as, a time bomb”.

Machar’s former right hand man, Peter Gatdet, on August 11, announced his split with Machar. In a statement, he said the generals have lost confidence in the leadership of Riek Machar and he immediately ceases to be Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/A-IO. Therefore, any peace deal he (Machar) signs with the government of South Sudan will not be legitimate and will not be respected by the SPLM/A-IO led by the generals,” Gatdet is quoted.

The UN Security Council gave South Sudan President Salva Kiir until September 1, to get fully behind the peace deal. The council threatened to take immediate action” if Kiir failed to sign, or signed with reservations. The United States has circulated a draft resolution that would impose an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on those who undermine peace efforts in South Sudan.