International Crisis Group or ICG’s latest report on Jonglei called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD to expand its political presence in South Sudan to engage more directly with various armed groups.
It said engaging the groups is critical to build support for a future peace agreement and ensure that President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar cannot use the armed groups to undermine talks or an agreement.
The Group pointed out that Jonglei ethnic militias; armed political opposition, inter-communal clashes and dysfunctional governance were part of the tinder that led to the outbreak of war a year ago.
It added that the flight of the war in Jonglei demonstrates dangers of limiting IGAD’s peace process to only the government and SPLM/A in opposition.
The Group argued that the multiplicity of armed groups and their independent nature suggest that more efforts should be dedicated to security arrangements discussions.
It pointed out that much of the political work should be done in South Sudan, not Addis Ababa and IGAD should carefully assess which conflicts require resolution at the national level and which should be addressed at the local level.
The Group said engagement with armed groups will lay the groundwork for the national political processes and transitional arrangements needed for a sustainable peace once a deal is reached in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.