Status of the reunification Agreement signed by the various factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the key tenets of the specified agreement
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 225 (NO3026E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 7-2015 OF 12 AUGUST 2015
MS T E KENYE (ANC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) In light of the political impasse in South Sudan and the mediating role played by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, what (a) is the current status of the reunification Agreement signed by the various factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and (b) are the key tenets of the specified agreement?
REPLY:
(a) The parties that signed the Arusha Reunification Agreement are busy with the implementation of this important Agreement which is aimed at facilitating the reunification of the party (SPLM). The process of implementation has progressed well in that the parties agreed on the implementation matrix covering the political, organisational and leadership process. The tripartite committee comprising representatives from each of the three parties was established with a mandate to lead the implementation process.
From the 31 May to 1 June 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa and Secretary General Kinana facilitated the inaugural trip of the five former political detainees to Juba. Deputy President Ramaphosa’s entourage was accompanied by the Foreign Ministers of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Subsequently, the majority of the former political detainees who were based in Nairobi have since returned to Juba and they are currently working with SPLM leadership to reconcile, rebuild and reorganise the party. One of the former political detainees, Mr Pagan Amum has since re-assumed the position of the Secretary General of the SPLM/A.
The process is underway to facilitate the return of the remaining leaders including the leadership of the SPLM-In Opposition, under Dr Riek Machar.
The intra-party process is complementary to the IGAD-led peace process. The expansion of the IGAD with five additional members (South Africa, Rwanda, Algeria, Chad and Nigeria) from each of the AU Regional Economic Communities is expected to give impetus to the conclusion of the South Sudan peace process.
(b) The key tenets of the Arusha Reunification Agreement include the following:
- Agreement on political issues:
Politically, the parties agreed to adhere to the provisions of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Further, they agreed to utilise the two processes, the Intra-SPLM dialogue as well as the IGAD mediation process to ensure the establishment of a comprehensive peace deal and expedite the end to the war.
- Agreement on organisational issues:
The parties agreed to prioritise the restructuring and the reorganization of the ruling party. The Agreement will also streamline the SPLM General Secretariat to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and strengthen coordination between the Secretariat and the other levels of the party.
- Agreement on leadership issues:
The parties agreed to develop a Party Leadership Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures to be applicable and upheld by all members irrespective of their positions.
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