Civil society organisations criticise IGAD’s Compromise Agreement

The alliance’s Chairperson, Samuel Akuoch Ajang, says the civil society recognises and appreciates efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Troika and other stakeholders, but remains disappointed over the proposed Compromise Agreement. Peace cannot come from America, Troika or IGAD but from within the people of South Sudan,” he says.

Ajang criticised the proposal of two armies, one under the command of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, and one under the command of rebel leader Riek Machar. However, a copy of the proposed Compromise Agreement seen by The Niles, does not directly indicate this preposition.

Peace cannot come from America, Troika or IGAD.”
Samuel Akuoch Ajang

Chapter 2, on Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security, Article 1.2 of the document states: The GRSS (Government of Republic of South Sudan) and the SPLM/A-IO shall disseminate the provisions of this Agreement to  all forces under their command or influence, and allies, to ensure compliance immediately upon signing.” The civil society notes that the section means the two warring leaders will be independent Commanders-in-Chief of their separate armies.

An advisor and alliance member of the Addis Ababa peace talks, Hellen Kila Wongo, says the country is engulfed in shame for failing to understand and address the root causes of recurring conflicts through forgiveness and honest reconciliation.

Wongo adds that maintaining two armies with independent Commanders-in-Chief would be an economic burden to the country and promote corruption that has already cost national resources for private investments abroad, forgetting poverty-stricken communities.

No need for two armies as we are coming back to make peace, unless the man coming from the bush has suspicious motives and fear,” she adds.

Read the full text version of the:
Proposed Compromise Agreement on the Resolution of of the conflict in the Republic of South SudanSouth Sudan Civil Society Alliance is putting its emphasis of further criticism on three key areas of the proposal that focus on a Transitional Government, Transitional Economic and Transitional Security arrangements.

There has also been criticism of Chapter 2, Article 5 that requires the demilitarisation of the national capital Juba within 90 days after the signing of the proposed pact. All other military and paramilitary forces shall be required to vacate Juba, outside a 25km radius buffer zone.

According to the document, four platoons of 65 men each, totalling to 260 are recommended for the presidential guard to remain in Juba, three platoons for the Vice President and an unspecified number of forces to protect army barracks.

Speaking at the just concluded consultative conference on the IGAD proposal in Juba, a Nuer traditional leader, Juma Ngundeng Gatluak, wonders if the suggested army was selected along ethnic lines and if the country with its 64 ethnic groups could have an equal number of 64 armies. One flag, one army, one nation,” Gatluak emphasises.

The IGAD Plus proposal will not solve the conflict in South Sudan.”
Sarah James Ajith

The Chairperson of South Sudan Women Union, Sarah James Ajith, too expresses concern on a fate of a nation with forces under separate commands. The IGAD Plus proposal will not solve the conflict in South Sudan. Keeping the two armies in the same country will encourage them to keep fighting always,” she says.

Sarah further lashed at the 53% power sharing proposed for SPLM-IO in the Greater Upper Nile region saying it would not be a just appropriation in the eyes of a region with eight different ethnic communities.  Upper Nile is home of many tribes. What about other tribes who don’t support Dr. Riek Machar?”

She explains that there is need to avoid a trap of rewarding those who seek to gain influence through destruction of peoples’ lives and property.

On Chapter 5, Article 4 of the IGAD proposal, concerning reparations and compensation of the December 2013 conflict, the women leader says the demand by SPLM-IO should be revisited to include the 1991 Bor massacre linked to Riek Machar.

She would only welcome the proposal on reparations and compensation if it covers victims of both conflicts, which she insists, were triggered by the same Machar.

The proposed document has also attracted protests and rejections in other parts of the country.

Civil society representatives, intellectuals, women, children and the elderly have so far held protests in Juba and Jonglei State’s capital Bor, scoffing at the document.

We have rejected the proposal of IGAD which maintains the position of first Vice President to rebel leader Riek Machar. He has a lot of charges on the ground of human rights violations,” reads a petition by the Bor group.

Commentators such as Buot Manyiel Buot terms the proposal as a geopolitical time bomb, or a move to turn South Sudan into a protectorate” of the international community especially the United Nations.

Others refer to the actions of the regional mediating body as some sort of suicide” adding that the proposed 53% Greater Upper Nile power sharing could result into the creation of a semi-autonomous region.

Veteran politician and Presidential Advisor, Joseph Lagu Yanga, is perturbed by the political events in the country. Lagu notes that people in South Sudan were more peaceful during the colonial times.

He appreciates the role played by Ethiopia and its leadership right from the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie when he (Lagu) signed the later-to-be abrogated peace accord for Southern Sudan with the North.

Nevertheless, Lagu expresses hope that the ongoing IGAD-led negotiations convening in Addis Ababa will materialise in peace.