Deputy rebel chief returns to Juba

Along with 60 members of the SPLM-IO, Lieutenant General Alfred Lado Gore arrived in Juba on a plane chartered by the Kenyan government. His return on Tuesday, April 12, to South Sudan’s capital was praised as glimpse of hope that the over two-year conflict is coming to an end.

Speaking at Juba International Airport, Gore stressed the importance of his return: “I am very happy to be home in nearly two years, our advance team came here to proclaim peace and I have come to reaffirm that peace.”

“There is no way that our unity should be doubted now. We have resolved to be together and to continue with our effort to rebuild this country,” Gore added.

This enthusiasm was mirrored by government representative and lawmaker at the South Sudan National Parliament Akol Paul, who declared Gore’s return as indicative of the war’s end. “His coming also demonstrates the commitment of the government, the SPLM-In Opposition and all other parties to implement the agreement.”

Despite these expressions of cooperation between the warring parties and their proclamations of peace, doubts are still looming. SPLM-IO spokesman William Ezekiel for example condemns the arrest of 20 members of the SPLM-IO belonging to the media section by government security personnel. The government denies any knowledge of it.

And although the arrival of the SPLA-IO forces in Juba highlights a step towards the implementation of the peace deal, other challenges remain. Gore’s arrival comes after 1,370 opposition forces arrived in Juba last week from areas in the northern part of the country, as part of security preparations for the arrival of First Vice President designate and rebel leader Riek Machar. At least 1,500 opposition forces are yet to come to Juba after Machar arrives.

The SPLA-IO commander General James Koang says the forces have been deployed in three separate locations in the capital. Feelings of mistrust are however still widespread. General John Mabiar Garr, SPLA-IO officer manning one of the opposition forces camps in Juba explains that the main challenge they are facing is their proximity to government forces. “We have government forces whom we are currently staying next to, we feel this is a challenge because we are not yet integrated. It would be better if the government forces stay distant from us until we know the reality of the peace agreement,” Garr cautions.

And these challenges are not restricted to Juba alone. General Koang explains that the SPLA-IO’s forces cantonment areas in Bar el-Ghazal and Equatoria are yet to be defined. “We referred it to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) because it has become a political [issue],” Koang says. “It is a big challenge to JMEC and a big challenge even to the peace,” he adds.

The government insists that the SPLA-IO has no forces in the Bahr el-Ghazal and Equatoria regions, nullifying the need for any cantonment areas there, and therefore making full demilitarisation impossible. This disagreement has delayed the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity as required by the peace deal.

In addition, Riek Machar has upped the ante demanding the demilitarisation to be confirmed by the JMEC prior to his arrival. He as well wants to “take an oath of office and hold a public rally” after he arrives to Juba according to his spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak.