SPLM/A-IO now returns to security mechanism bodies

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A) has lifted its suspension of participation in the security mechanism bodies after the parties to the 2018 agreement struck a deal paving the way for the unification and graduation of forces on Sunday.

SPLM/A-IO Spokesperson Puok Both Baluang posted on his Twitter page: ‘‘In accordance with the agreement on the unification of the command of the forces signed today by the parties to the R-ARCSS, the SPLM/A (IO) leadership has lifted the suspension of participation of its members in the meetings of the security mechanisms.’’

Mr Baluang attached a statement where his party revoked the order suspending its participation in such meetings, citing unprovoked attacks on its forces by the SSPDF in Upper Nile and Unity states.

‘‘The SPLM/SPLA-IO leadership hereby lifts the suspension of participation in SPLM/SPLA-IO in the meetings of security mechanisms namely JDB, JTSC, JMCC, SDSR Board, CTSAMVM, SSM as well as the National Transitional Committee (NTC) and Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), with immediate effect,’’ the party noted on the press release.

Yesterday, President Salva Kiir (SPLM-IG), First Vice President Dr Riek Machar (SPLM-IO) and the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi (SSOA) met and agreed on the unification command approach. The parties agreed that the SPLM-IG would be accorded 60 per cent of the slots, while the SPLM-IO and SSOA would share the remaining 40 per cent.