SPLM-IO to fill vacant positions in RTGoNU
By James Chatim
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) interim leadership in Juba said it will soon submit the nominees for the vacant positions in the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU).
This comes following the recognition of Stephen Par Kuol as the SPLM-IO interim chairperson by the High-Level Standing Committee (HLSC) last week.
That means the SPLM-IO faction in Juba will nominate members for the vacant positions in the executive, legislative branches of the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), as well as in the various peace mechanisms.
Speaking to The City Review in an exclusive interview on Monday, Agok Makur Kur, the SPLM-IO Interim Secretary General, said parties signatory to the 2018 agreement, including the ruling party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG), have endorsed Stephen Par Kuol as the interim leader.
“This endorsement is a recognition from the signatories and implementers for the agreement that includes SPLM-IG, SPLM-IO, SSOA, OPP and FDs,” said Makur.
“All these parties agreed that SPLM-IO is under the leadership of Stephen Par Kuol and will continue to implement this agreement,” he said.
He continued that after the consultations with the High-Level Standing Committee (HLSC) on peace implementation, SPLM-IO will continue to implement the agreement.
“What is required of us are matters such as reforms, amendments, or other issues. All these are responsibilities that we have to carry out, including the vacant positions,” Makur explained.
Last week, the High-Level Standing Committee for the Implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement, a body comprising parties to the accord, recognized and endorsed the interim leadership of the SPLM-IO led by Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol.
The move came despite a directive from the self-exiled SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman, Oyet Nathaniel, suspending Kuol from the party.
Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, cabinet affairs minister and secretary of the High-Level Committee, said on Thursday that Kuol’s faction now has “full rights” to nominate members to peace mechanisms to advance the implementation of the peace agreement.
