By
Peter Louis
The South Sudan Civil Society Alliance yesterday organised a peaceful demonstration in the nation’s capital Juba where hundreds of South Sudanese people joined in protesting for IGAD-Plus to review their peace proposal.
The Civil Society stated that they have organised this peaceful demonstration to show their disappointment on other unhelpful proposed solutions in the compromised peace agreement and urge IGAD-Plus to review the draft proposal agreement to meet the will of the people of South Sudan.
Akuoch Ajang Nyanhom, South Sudan Civil Society Chairperson said that they have thoroughly and carefully read the proposed compromised agreement and have noted issues that will not bring sustainable peace to the people of South Sudan.
“However, as a civil society we need a peace agreement that will bring permanent peace, security and unity to people in addition respecting the sovereignty of our country.”
“We reject a peace agreement that threatens the nation’s sovereignty and are confident that the South Sudanese army is competent to protect our territorial integrity and leaders without the interference of foreign forces”, he said.
“The South Sudanese people need credible peace that addresses the root causes of conflict in governance, economic and security without any bias or prejudice” he added.
Ajang mentioned that the existence of troops from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in the country caused worry over their presence in the cities without any genuine protection of civilians. As a result of the Malakal killings of innocent civilians in UNMISS camps, the number of UN troops must be reduced in South Sudan. Therefore, UNMISS armed forces must reduce and transfer to the capital city of Juba, giving them a special location far away from the town.
He said that they have rejected the two armies in one country that establishes a continuous and useless war, third party military forces proposing to protect Juba and the power sharing in the Upper Nile states.
The government and rebels have until 6 August to return to Ethiopia, after consulting their respective constituencies in Juba and Pagak. A final peace deal is expected to be signed by 17 August or parties risk facing sanctions and an arms embargo.
