Kiir, Machar given another 45 days to agree on unity government

Salva Kiir (L) and Riek Machar. AFP PHOTO

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The principal parties had on June 10 agreed to form a unity government but failed and representatives from both camps have since been issuing parallel statements on the matter.

KAMPALA- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) mediating warring parties in the South Sudan conflict, has issued another 45 day-ultimatum to President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to negotiate and agree on a unity government

Five regional leaders including President Museveni, on Monday, at the summit held in Addis Ababa to chart a way forward on the nine-month hostilities, expressed disappointment that the first 60 days which were given to form an-all inclusive government to allow social cohesion, have passed without progress

Igad “now calls upon the stakeholders to negotiate and complete the agreement within 45 days,” reads a statement seen by this newspaper.

The principal parties had on June 10 agreed to form a unity government but failed and representatives from both camps have since been issuing parallel statements on the matter.
In a communiqué issued after the summit also attended by President Kiir, Igad deplored the numerous violations of the ceasefire agreements which has accelerated fighting and is hindering relief aid from reaching more than 3.8 million civilians displaced internally.

“The political and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan cannot be solved by the two warring parties alone, and therefore requires an inclusive and broad-based approach to negotiations; hence the inclusion of all stakeholders in the IGAD-led processes,” the communiqué read in part.

The leaders also appealed to the international community to “take all possible measures to avert further suffering and prevent further deaths by providing the necessary humanitarian assistance and relief to the South Sudanese population, both within and in neighbouring countries.

The United Nations warned last week that civilians displaced internally are on the brink of starvation due to food shortages and up to Shs2.6 trillion ($1b) is extended to provide humanitarian support.

The UN Mission in South Sudan puts the death toll upwards of 10,000 and more than 2 million displaced to neighbouring countries since violence broke out.