BREAKING: Parties end deadlock over counties, oil-producing Rubkona allocated to Machar

JUBA – South Sudan parties to the revitalized peace agreement have finally resolved the dispute over the allocation of counties during a meeting held at the office of the first vice president this afternoon, according to a senior government official.

“This is to announce that the parties have agreed on the allocation of counties and with this announcement, the disagreements over the formation of the states and counties  governments have ended,” Tutkew Gatluak, President Salva Kiir’s security advisor who signed the agreement on behalf of the government, told Sudans Post this evening  in Juba.

“The ball will now be in the parties’ court to nominate their people for appointment by respective state governors,” he added.

According to the agreement signed by Peter Marcello Nasir on behalf of the SPLM-IO, the former ITGONU was allocated Magwi and Budi Counties in Eastern Equatoria state.

Ikwaios was allocated to the main armed opposition group, SPLA-IO.

In Jonglei, the ITGONU took Nyirol while SPLM-IO takes Pibor, Akobo and SSOA was given Pigi county. In Lakes, the SPLM-IO was given Yirol West while OPP was given Wulu.

In Northern Bahr el Ghazal, the former ITGONU was given Aweil East while SPLA-IO SPLM-IO took Aweil West county.

In Unity state, the main armed opposition groups was given oil-producing Rubkona and Panyijiar. South Sudan Opposition Alliance was given Mayendit. Meanwhile Abiemnom County was given to OPP.

In Upper Nile, the ITGONU took Baliet, Ulang and Akoka counties, while the SPLM-IO took Nasir, Maban and Longechuk. Panyikang County was given to the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.

In Western Bahr el Ghazal state, the ITGONU took Jur River while Raja, an opposition stronghold there, was given to the SPLM-IO.

In Western Equatoria state, the ITGONU took Maridi, SPLM-IO took Najero and Ibba county to the OPP.