Persistent failure of parties to lead discussions on outstanding issues of the agreement indicates a profound negligence in leadership, said Rajab Mohandis, Executive Director of the Organization for Responsive Governance.
Reflecting on IGAD’s recent consultation meeting, he notes that the parties are ineffective in managing national affairs, unless they operate under ‘an undeclared trusteeship of IGAD and its member states’.
Mohandis said ‘over reliance on the regional authorities to provide guidance on critical national issues wear out concepts of independence and sovereignty of the country’.
He said the deal is extremely fragile because the main political opponents have not reached a step of reconciliation necessary for voluntary collaboration, peaceful co-existence and good working relations.
The activist also observed that government’s commitment with clear timelines to release funds for implementation of the Pre-Transitional Period did not appear in the latest meeting in Addis Ababa.
He said the indication is that ‘the processes of cantonment, screening, unification, training and deployment of forces may slow down or remain uncertain until sufficient resources are made available’.
Mohandis realized that uncertainty sheds doubts on possibilities adequate preparations for meaningful and timely beginning of the transitional period.
He said ‘it is a defining moment for South Sudan’s leaders to sit fully at the driving seat of the peace process and never let the people down again’.
The activist called on the signatories to the agreement to give South Sudanese people hope and encouragement on the peace people want.