Skip to main content
ADDIS ABABA - 15 Apr 2018

Opposition alliance wants Kiir, Machar out of transitional government

The South Sudan opposition alliance wants the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to exclude President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar from upcoming traditional government.

The alliance is made up of 10 South Sudan rebel groups, but the group led by Hakim Dario has been suspended by the IGAD mediation.

The groups, in a document dated 14 April after consultations and seen by Radio Tamazuj, said the next transitional period will be led by new leadership.

“President Kiir and Dr. Machar will not lead the transitional government because of their successive failures in managing the previous four transitions,” the letter reads in part.

The rebel groups also expressed interest in adoption of a federal system of government during the transitional government through division of powers and resources.

They also demanded annulment of 32 states and revert to the 10 states as stipulated in the 2015 peace deal in addition to the two administrative areas of Pibor and Abyei.

The alliance called for building of new security sector institutions reflective of national diversity, while demanding that the state of emergency should be lifted upon the signing of the peace agreement.

Signatories of the alliance’s position during consultations with IGAD included Gabriel Changson, leader of the Federal Democratic Party, Thomas Cirillo, leader of National Salvation Front, Lam Akol, leader of South Sudan’s National Democratic Movement, Bapiny Monytuil, chairman of SSLM/A, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, chairman of National Movement for Change, Costello Garang Ring, leader of South Sudan Patriotic Movement, Peter Gatdet Yak, chairman of South Sudan United Movement, Gatwech K. Thick, leader of UDRA, and Pagan Amum, leader of the SPLM-FDs.