Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army or SPLM/A in opposition boycotted the second round of the peace talks scheduled for Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia over non implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
SPLM/A in opposition Chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai in a statement demanded release of all the political detainees to join the peace process as provided for in the ‘Release of Political Detainees Agreement.
He criticized the government for ‘ignoring repeated requests of the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, US, UK and Norway.’
Mr Deng Gai called for an inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation process including elected representatives of the people, the civil society, religious leaders and intellectuals.
The Chief negotiator demanded withdrawal of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces from South Sudan as a pre-condition for the resumption of the second round of the peace talks per the Cessation of Hostilities agreement.
Mr Gai announced that they will not participate in the second round of the talks until all their demands in the agreements were implemented including the release of all their colleagues in Nairobi and Juba.