The leader SPLM-IO met on Sunday with Djiboutian President Ismail Omer Guelleh to discuss the peace process for South Sudan. During the visit the rebel group has reiterated its rejection of the IGAD demand to make the talks ‘inclusive’.

According to remarks made on Monday to Radio Tamazuj, SPLM-IO continues to reject involvement of other parties and civil society as equal stakeholders at the peace talks, preferring direct negotiations between the warring parties only, whereas IGAD mediators demand ‘inclusive’ talks.

Hatim Kabo, the SPLM-IO director of protocol, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday from Djibouti that a delegation headed by South Sudanese former vice president Riek Machar discussed with the Djibioutian president ways of bringing about peace in South Sudan and how to push forward the initiative of the IGAD countries.

He further disclosed the rebel leader met also with the Djiboutian Foreign Minister and discussed peace progress. The Djiboutian government expressed their willingness to support the peace process in South Sudan, according Kabo.

He stated out that the next visit by his boss will be to Sudan, noting though they are still waiting for a notification from the Sudanese government about the visit, which has been announced some time ago but repeatedly delayed.

When asked about the resumption of talks, which were postponed by the mediators, Kabo reiterated their willingness to negotiate with the government.

“Dr. Machar will meet the Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn to discuss the possible participation of civil society and political parties in a consultative role – only not as negotiators,” he said.

SPLM-IO’s refusal to accept participation by civil society representatives and other political parties as ‘stakeholders’ at the talks was the main reason for suspension of the peace talks last month.

Photo: South Sudan’s rebel leader, Riek Machar Teny, and his delegation posing a picture with Djibouti president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, at the State Palace, Djibouti, 13 July 2014 (Sudan Tribune)