A number of senior South Sudanese military and police officers will lose their positions in fulfillment of the key provisions of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, President Salva Kiir said Thursday.
These positions, according to Kiir, will be occupied by nominees of the armed opposition group (SPLM/A-IO) under the leadership of the First Vice President, Riek Machar and members of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
He cited Vice President James Wani Igga’s decision to twice step down from his leadership position for the sake of preserving peace and stability.
“Certain times require certain decisions, and these decisions are taken by patriotic people. In the coming days, we will make decisions and we expect people to accept them. We know it is hard but for peace and unity of our people and the country, we expect heroic act”, said Kiir.
On Monday, a South Sudanese delegation led by the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime delivered President Kiir’s message to the leaders of Sudan’s Sovereign Council in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.
The team comprised of South Sudan’s Cabinet Affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomoro, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Mayiik Ayii Deng and the chief of military intelligence Lt. General Marshal Stephen.
Mayiik, in a statement issued on Thursday, said Kiir accepted proposals made by the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.
“President Kiir would like to inform the people of South Sudan and our partners worldwide of the reason for the disagreements that emerged during these security sector negotiations,” he explained.
Currently, several competent officers who displayed gallantry and discipline throughout their lives in service of South Sudan occupy senior leadership positions in the military, police as well as the organized forces.
“These negotiations mean that some [officers] will lose their seats, not because of their merit or performance, but to accommodate others in the peace agreement”, said Mayiik.
According to the minister, the delegation sent to Khartoum also briefed the South Sudanese leader about the discussion they held in Khartoum.
He said Sudan’s leaders are expected to visit Juba in the coming days to present their proposal to the leadership of the parties to the agreement.
“The president thanked our Sudanese partners in peace for their proactive support to us in forwarding this proposal. Once again, the Sudanese leaders have demonstrated their commitment to regional stability,” said Mayiik.
He added, “With this decision, the SPLM-IO and SSOA should show flexibility and goodwill to the Sudanese proposal, which will be presented to them this weekend as a basis for building a fully integrated security force to stabilize South Sudan, protect its borders and fully implement the revitalized peace agreement”.
Over the weekend, deployment of troops around the residency of the Vice President caused fear and panic that the situation could escalate if it was not well managed.
But Kiir told the nation on Monday that the deployment was to provide protection to senior government officials, including his first deputy in the coalition government.
