Less than two weeks after apparently coming to agreement on a plan to move forward on a peace agreement negotiated by regional leaders, South Sudanese rebels indicate they will not sign an agreement that leaves President Salva Kiir in power. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees issues on Africa, said today that while politics are at the heart of what has become a civil war, political grievances must be put aside in the interest of peace.

   The presidents of the six nations comprising the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African international organization, signed the peace accord on Aug. 25, along with the three IGAD special envoys for South Sudan and South Sudanese President Kiir. Dr. Riek Machar, leader of the rebel forces now known as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A IO) did not officially sign, but was believed to have accepted the plan. The plan created a Prime Minister’s position that Machar’s organization would fill. However, spokesmen for SPLM/A IO have since said they cannot accept Kiir remaining president.

    Smith said an orderly transition is critical to regional stability.

     “We have learned again in recent years what happens when a leader is removed precipitously without proper consideration of how a transition would work,” Smith said. “The situations in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia have been troubled in the aftermath of sudden changes in government. There must be an orderly transition in South Sudan, and the IGAD peace plan offers a credible way forward. It should be executed as soon as possible.”

     In addition to refusing to accept Kiir continuing as President, SPLM/A IO also objects to the continuing presence of foreign forces in South Sudan, particularly Ugandan troops who have fought to keep government forces from being overrun early in the conflict last winter.  The rebels have not specifically ruled out the continuing involvement of the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, whose mandate supports the Government of South Sudan in providing security.

###