Lam Akol, the leader of the delegation of the Political Parties Leadership Forum (PPLF), was blocked by security agents at Juba International Airport from traveling to the peace talks in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

The politician is head of the SPLM-DC opposition party and also leader of a group of delegates belonging to the PPLF.

He was invited to participate in the peace negotiations by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediates the talks.

In an interview with the online daily Sudan Tribune, Lam Akol said, “I have been blocked. They [the security agents] told me that they have instructions that I should not travel to attend the talks.”

He claimed that the government’s decision to block him clearly shows that it is opposed to hearing independent views to resolve the conflict.

“The message is clear. The government does not want independent views.”

Related coverage:

Interview: SPLM-DC leader criticizes planning for elections without peace (12 Sept.)

SPLM-Juba official says ‘power-hungry’ opposition groups in talks together (11 Sept.)

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