Diplomats of four European countries, the European Union and the United States of America expressed concern on Tuesday that “some members of the political parties delegation have been prevented from travelling to join IGAD talks in Ethiopia to which they were invited by the IGAD mediators.” 

They were referring to the politicians Lam Akol of SPLM-DC and a number of members of other opposition parties who sought to travel from Juba to Addis Ababa on Saturday but were blocked by security agents. 

The politicians say they were told by an immigration official at Juba Airport that the instructions to halt them from traveling to the peace talks came from South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs. 

“This does not sit well with an inclusive and representative process that takes into account the views of all constituencies and all stakeholders. Preventing an individual from travelling may also violate his or her right to freedom of movement,” reads a statement from the foreign diplomats. 

They added, “We remain deeply concerned about the political and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, an entirely man-made catastrophe. We call on leaders on all sides to recognise the need for compromise, to put their people first and to make peace a reality as a first priority.”

The statement was issued in the name of the ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, EU, US and the Netherlands

Members of the Political Parties Leadership Forum, led by Lam Akol, wrote a letter to the president on Monday protesting the decision to prevent them from traveling and calling it “a flagrant violation of the Transitional Constitution… which states that ‘Every citizen shall have the right to leave and return to South Sudan.’”

The politicians said that the move “delays our joint efforts to speedily bring this senseless war to a speedy and save innocent lives.” 

Lam Akol, the first signatory to the letter, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj yesterday its authenticity. It was signed also by the following politicians:

• Kornelio Kon Ngu (NUDF)
• Sebastian Uchan Kich (UDF)
• Albino John Laku Awan (DUP)
• Garang Thuch Garang (PURE)
• Ismail Suleiman Saeed (CPSS)
• Peter Lomude (USSP)
• Musa Al Mak Kur (PCP)
• Simon Primo (SSDA)
• Joseph Opio (SSUP)
• Abbas Bullen Ajalla (UDSF-M)
• Andrew Philipson Abili (NJMP)

Manoah Aligo (UDP) did not sign but was listed as having assented by telephone.

File photo: Flags of the European Union 

Related coverage:

SPLM-IO and SPLM-Leaders want Lam Akol at peace talks (16 Sept.)