SPLM-IO reacts to National Dialogue report calling for Kiir-Machar exclusion from politics

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has reacted to a National Dialogue report calling for the exclusion of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar from politics starting with the upcoming elections due at the end of the transitional period.

The National Dialogue was decreed by President Kiir in 2016 to consult with the grassroots to address the conflict in the world’s youngest country. However, the SPLM-IO rejected the initiative and said it was meant to jeopardize regional efforts to achieve peace in the country.

Yesterday, the National Dialogue released its final report blaming the conflict on Kiir and Machar recommending that the two men be excluded from any future role in politics saying a government including both is likely to collapse, and exclusion of either results in fighting and renewal of fighting.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon in Juba, SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations, Puok Both Baluang, said the report does not have legal bearings on the main armed opposition group because it hasn’t accepted it from the beginning.

“The SPLM-IO was not part and parcel   of the so-called National Dialogue. Therefore, whatever recommendation or resolution they have don’t have legal bearing on SPLM-IO,” the senior opposition official said.

“We have officially informed the leadership of national dialogue before the conference took place that we will not participate in it,” added the close Machar aide.

Baluang further said the group had initially made it clear to the National Dialogue that it won’t bear clear legal means on the group, saying the dialogue has not been inclusive because prominent opposition groups, including the SPLM-IO weren’t consulted at its constitution.

“We have nothing to do with the resolutions and this recommendation or resolution of the National Dialogue will not bear any legal means to our members of leadership,” he said.