Juba,
The
South Sudan government wants a referendum to resolve dispute over the
number of administrative units that the country should have, placing
another hurdle on the path to forming a unitary government come February
2020.
The government says this would
end a ‘political game’ being played by its rivals led by Dr Riek
Machar’s SPLM-IO over the number of states. President Salva Kiir
increased the number of states from 10 to 32 states in 2015 against the
wishes of his partners in the revitalised peace agreement; other parties
wanted 21 states.
Speaking after the
regular Council of Ministers Meeting in Juba on Friday, Cabinet
minister Martin Elia Lumoru dismissed ongoing inter-party negotiations
on the number of states, saying the decision should be left to local
populations.
“The president shared
his concern with members of cabinet all of whom spoke in favour of 32
states. Only a referendum can reverse the structures currently in
existence to avoid crisis and even insecurity,” said Mr Lumoru.
TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
The number of states and formation of an
integrated army are the two sticking points that have forced the
postponement of formation of a transitional government under the 2018
peace agreement. It was to be formed on May 12, 2019, then it was moved
to November 12, 2019, and later postponed to February 2020 after
President Kiir and Dr Machar agreed on a 100-day extension.
So
far events on the ground suggest this deadline may be missed following
delays in disbursing $40 million to activate the security arrangement.
Fixing a referendum before February would also be a tall order due to
funding constraints the government is facing.
Last
week, a two day Igad Consultative meeting ended without the parties
agreeing on the number and boundaries of states. SPLM-IO accused the
government of repeatedly rejecting proposals brought by mediators.
The government suggested at the meeting that the number of states should actually be more, between 35 and 40.
However,
South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza, who chaired the meeting,
said both sides had agreed to meet again after 10 days, suggesting next
week.
A former minister of National
Security and member of G10 Majak Agoot said a referendum was not
possible because majority of South Sudanese people had been displaced.
“A
referendum conundrum is either dishonest or disingenuous. Why? In
Equatoria, a 1/3 of population are refugees. In Upper Nile, a
significance portion are refugees. Who will vote then? Jieng? Will it be
credible,” he said in a tweet.
The
executive director of Organization for Responsive Governance Rajab
Mohandis said the country should have the 21 old districts in
compromise.
“These boundaries are
not contested. Reverting to them and then putting this forward for
finalisation in the constitution making process would be better given
the polarization in the country is not conducive for a referendum,” said
Mr Mohandis.
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