THE ALLIANCE OF OPPOSITION GROUPS PARTICIPATING IN THE HIGH-LEVEL REVITALISATION FORUM
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 December 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: We, the undersigned opposition groups and participants at the High-Level Revitalisation Forum (HLRF) of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) have agreed to work together towards a just and durable peace in South Sudan and to coordinate and synergise our negotiating positions during the HLRF.
As an Alliance, we welcome IGAD’s commendable efforts to ensure an inclusive, transparent and participatory process towards the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.
We participated in this HLRF process not only with commitment, determination and one mind but also with the singular object of achieving a durable peace in the shortest time possible. We are, therefore, delighted and relieved that the parties signed a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on the 21 December 2017. We signed the Agreement in good faith, with honesty and integrity and we pledge ourselves to abide by it. It is our sincere hope that the Regime in Juba honours the terms of the Agreement also.
The Cessation of hostilities is only a first step. To be meaningful, the opportunities provided by this silencing of the guns must be used in the days ahead to engage in an open, frank and honest conversation around how best to achieve a durable peace in South Sudan. It is our belief that a sustainable solution to the conflict in South Sudan can only be achieved when the fundamental issues and root causes of this crisis are addressed; a durable peace can only be achieved when there is justice, and only when the state is restructured, and state institutions, structures and systems are inclusive and fair.
Therefore, when we return to the Table in February, we will do so with an intent to engage seriously, honestly, with open mind and ready to make hard compromises for the sake of peace and for our suffering people. However, we are deeply concerned that the Regime in Juba seem determined to undermine the prospect of the HLRF as a golden opportunity to end the war and misery of our people that, we as South Sudanese, must not miss. Our concerns have deepened further in the light of the content of the Position document of the Regime in Juba on the HLRF.
Let it be clear, we do expect and will not accept anything less than a significant revision and amendments of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. Even though, many aspects of ARCSS remain relevant, it is equally true that many other aspects have been fatally fractured. There is no doubt that the situation in South Sudan is so fundamentally different from that which prevailed when ARCSS was signed. We strongly feel that ARCSS, as it is, can no longer, without substantial and substantive revision, serve as a platform for a just and sustainable peace in South Sudan.
Signed by:
Hon. Henry Odwar: The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM – IO)
Hon. Kosti Manibe: The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement – SPLM Leaders (FDs)
Hon. Gabriel Changson: Chang The Federal Democratic Party (FDP)
Dr. Lam Akol: The National Democratic Movement (NDM)
Mr. Taban Julu Ladimbe Lomuja: The People’ s Democratic Movement (PDM)
Governor Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro: The South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC)
Gen. Swaka Thomas Cirilo: The National Salvation Front (NAS)
Mr. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol: South Sudan Patriotic Movement/ South Sudan Patriotic Army (SSPM/SSPA)
Mr. Denay Chagor: South Sudan United Movement (SSUM)
For contact and further information:
Email: jointoppositionpressrelease@gmail.com
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