South Sudan rebels type new coalition after exclusion from Kenya-led peace initiative – Sudans Post
JUBA – Five South Sudanese opposition teams excluded from the continuing Kenya-led Tumaini Peace Initiative have shaped a brand new coalition, the National Opposition Alliance (NOA), to current a unified entrance in response to their exclusion from the peace talks.
In an announcement shared with Sudans Post on Monday, the teams outlined their goal of advocating for unity amongst opposition factions that haven’t signed the revitalized peace settlement.
They purpose to deal with the basis causes of South Sudan’s ongoing battle and push for a broader peace settlement with the federal government.
The teams criticized the federal government for its failure to implement previous peace accords, together with the 2015 peace settlement, its 2018 revitalized model, and resolutions from the 2018 nationwide dialogue.
They additionally expressed dissatisfaction with the 2022 Khartoum peace settlement, which sought to reconcile the Kitgwang factions, led by General Simon Gatwech Dual and General Johnson Olony, with President Salva Kiir’s authorities.
The new coalition consists of the Patriots’ Resistance Movement-Army (PRM/A), led by General Laraka Machar Turoal, previously the army chief of the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction earlier than a fallout with Gatwech in July 2023; the South Sudan National Liberation Movement/Army (SSNLM/A), headed by Hoth Guor Lual; the South Sudan United National Front/Army (SSUNF/A), led by Philip Stephen Dak Onwar; the South Sudan Rescue Front (SSRF), headed by Kamin Vigilio Vurve; and the Union Party of South Sudan/Army (UPSS/A), led by Dhoal Tutlual Larjin.
The teams reaffirmed their dedication to federalism, democracy, human rights, and justice, emphasizing that unity throughout the opposition is significant for ending the struggling of South Sudanese residents beneath Kiir’s management.
The alliance adopted the slogan “Better Together” and outlined plans to create a unified management construction aimed toward fostering nationwide reconciliation, financial stability, and peacebuilding.
“We work to regain the lost hopes of our people, rebuild their lives and advance their aspirations of peaceful, prosperous and economically viable country for generations to come,” the assertion stated.
The coalition’s management consists of General Laraka of PRM/A as president, Kamin Vigilio Vurve of SSRF as deputy chief, and General Philip Stephen Dak Onwar of SSUNF/A as secretary-general.
Other key members embrace General Hoth of SSNLM as an advisor for peace, reconciliation, and coexistence, and Dhoal of UPSS/A as secretary for protection and safety.
The alliance accused the federal government of failing to deal with the “lingering root causes of the conflict” and exacerbating the struggling of the inhabitants. They additionally criticized the repeated extensions of South Sudan’s transitional interval, arguing that it undermines the federal government’s constitutional legitimacy.
Laraka’s faction had been a part of the Tumaini Peace Initiative however was expelled after allegations that the PRM had gained members on the expense of different opposition teams, consolidating energy within the course of.
The alliance’s targets embrace establishing a federal system of governance, defending human rights, and making a nationwide military loyal to the state fairly than particular person leaders.
The coalition additionally pledged to fight tribalism and corruption, shield the nation’s pure sources, and promote regional and worldwide stability by collaborating with the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations.
In their assertion, the NOA referred to as for inclusivity, pluralism, and respect for sovereignty, urging all South Sudanese to help their efforts for significant change.
They additionally advocated for the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced individuals, alongside the opening of humanitarian corridors to supply important providers.
