June 23rd 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The special envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ambassador Ismail Wais reportedly told the IGAD heads of states and government during the extraordinary summit held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Friday that the exclusion of the South Sudan’s prominent opposition and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon derails peace efforts by the regional bloc.
Wais said Machar’s full participation should not be impeded because the reality on the ground need his presence both in Addis Ababa and in South Sudan.
“The exclusion of Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of SPLM-IO, from the peace process derails the peace efforts currently underway by the regional community. His participation should not be impeded because the reality on the ground need his presence both here in Addis and in South Sudan,” the ambassador reportedly told the IGAD head of state and governments on Thursday.
He said Machar’s participation in the peaceful resolution of the South Sudan conflict is not an impasse to peace but a interest to the end of the civil war.
“Machar’s participation doesn’t block the peace process but it is for the interest of the peace process and as such, it would be for the interest of peace for all parties to participate fully in the process,” he said.
He urged the regional leaders from all countries to reject advises from South Sudanese parties that doesn’t want certain groups to participate in the peace process saying that this means the quiz for a military solution for the conflict.
“I therefore recommend, if we really want peace in South Sudan, to all of you to ensure unimpeded participation of Dr. Riek Machar in the peace process and reject opinions from some parties to the conflict that seems to be favoring oneself,” he added.
