The Carter Center is urging the SPLM to be inclusive during the transition process and the other parties to overcome differences and work together.
Carter Center’s remarks come after nine opposition parties walked out of the on-going constitutional review citing SPLM manipulation in the decision making procedures.In addition, the opposition noted concerns about statements by some SPLM members suggesting a planned expansion of the transitional period and the mandate of the current government.
Maggie Ray, from the Carter Center, during an interview with SCR News called for unity among political actors in the region adding that it will help to face the challenges proper to the establishment of a new country.
The CPA gave political parties in south Sudan 30 percent of the seats in the parliament and it was expected that last year’s elections would have expanded their representation.
However, the elections were massively won by the SPLM and the ruling party occupies 159 out of 170 seats in South Sudan Assembly.
The opposition’s abysmal failure is due to multiple factors including its structural weakness and lack of access to campaign resources together with SPLA’s abuses directed at opposition members.
As a result, the April elections served to increase antagonism and distrust between the opposition parties and the dominating SPLM.