MPs push for EAC observer status in South Sudan peace talks

Tanzanian President John Magufuli attends Eala session in Dodoma on April 24, 2018. PHOTO | MOSES HAVYARIMANA | NATION 

In Summary

• Eala calls on the heads of state to prioritise the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan in order to facilitate and promote regional peace and stability.
• In February, the second round of the peace talks took place in Addis Ababa but they were scuttled after the government objected to a clause calling for punitive measures against saboteurs of the peace talks.

By MOSES HAVYARIMANA
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The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the East African Community to participate as observer in the Igad-mediated South Sudan peace talks.

The regional assembly sitting in Dodoma authorised the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution to work with the EAC Secretary-General to engage the Intergovernmental Authority on Development special envoy for South Sudan on the modalities of participating in the peace process.
“The assembly directs the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution to explore mechanisms under Article 124 and other provisions of the Treaty to resolve the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan as a partner state of the EAC,” the Assembly said.

Eala also called on the heads of state to prioritise the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan in order to facilitate and promote regional peace and stability.

“How much blood do we want to be shed before we say we have heard your voices? How many people must leave that country for us to realise that it is time to act?” said the Ugandan representative George Odongo, who had moved the motion.

Mr Odongo said that Igad had played a great role in the talks, but the assembly was concerned about the pace of the talks.

In February, the second round of the peace talks took place in Addis Ababa but they were scuttled after the government objected to a clause calling for punitive measures against saboteurs of the peace talks.

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Previous deals have been violated within hours of signing.

The African Union Peace and Security Council delegation had mid this month met in Juba with the South Sudan government ahead of the next round of peace talks that was initially scheduled for April 26, however the peace talks were postponed to a later date.