Deal: SPLM bags Kit Gwang at last
The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Government (SPLM-IG) of President Salva Kiir has reached a deal with the SPLA-IO splinter group of Gen. Simon Gatwech Daul to end the five-month conflict in Upper Nile State.
The agreement that covered the land, military, and political issues was signed between the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak and the Kit Gwang faction, comprising its interim leader, Gen Simon Gatwech Dual, deputy chairperson Gen Johnson Olony, and Gen Thomas Mabor Dhoal, who signed on behalf of the military council.
Another document for the agreement bore the signatures of Gen Akol Koor Kuc, the Internal Security Bureau on behalf of the government and Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo, Chairman of Agwelek Forces on behalf of the Kit Gwang faction in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, on Sunday.
It was witnessed, among others, by Mr Gatluak, John Opec Akokjak, Editor, Community Leader, and Victoria Arop Odhong, the Women Representative.
According to the agreement, the parties agreed to integrate forces of the Agwelek forces into the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF), and in the meantime, Agwelek forces shall remain independent, respect the ceasefire, and the government to grant them amnesty within a week.
They also agreed on the allocation of political positions to the Agwelek forces, with details to be negotiated, and the maintenance of the community boundary in accordance with the 1/1/1956, among other agreements.
Kit Gwang agreement
The agreement with Kit Gwang stipulated six conditions to be met by both parties. First, the government is to provide amnesty to the leaders of the splinter factions, as it was done in 2018. They are to remain committed to the Khartoum Declaration Agreement of June 27, 2018, and support peace initiatives such as the settlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs). A Joint Security Committee is to be formed to steer the implementation of the deal in three months. The committee is also to ensure the relocation of the Kit Gwang troops to Manyo, Southern Malakal and Eastern Jonglei. After this, the government will deploy security in Magenis, Upper Nile State, to secure the residents. Reintegration offices will be established in Bor, Juba, and Malakal, and the Kit Gwang forces will receive food and medical supplies from the government via the SSPDF.
Reactions
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, welcomed the deal, saying the Kit Gwang SPLA-IO faction – SPLM-IG deal sounds good in relation to the prevention of armed conflict that claims the lives and property of innocent civilians in the Upper Nile state.
However, Mr. Yakani pointed out that the agreement, if implemented, would be violating the Chapter Two of the security arrangement that prohibits new recruitment, training, and graduation of forces by the parties during the transitional period.
“The signing of the ceasefire agreement without the full participation of the R-TGoNU is contradicting the cessation of hostilities agreement. 2017 provision in article 2.1.8 on the prohibition of recruitment during the period of implementing the Revitalize Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” Yakani argued.
The 2018 peace deal gives no more room for accommodation, meaning the question of power-sharing provided under Chapter One of the peace agreement could be another perceived stumbling block to the Khartoum deal.
Under Chapter 1.16 of the responsibility sharing ratio, the Transitional of Government of National Unity (TGoNU) shall have 55 per cent, the SPLM/A-IO shall be allocated 27 per, SSOA and FD shall have 10 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.
Talks between President Kiir and Gen. Gatwech began in October last year following the Kit-Gwang breakaway in August 2021, claiming the SPLM/A-IO leadership from the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.
The move resulted to several clashes between Dr. Machar’s forces and those of Gen. Gatwech’s that claimed dozens of, displaced many locals, and threatened the ongoing revitalised peace implementation.
