Why SPLM/A-IO compromised on army ratio

The signatory parties to the 2018 peace accord put their long-standing impasse on the sharing ratio that had been a major stumbling block to the graduation of the unified forces on Sunday.

Characterised by a hardline stance and numerous meetings to break the deadlock, the government and the opposition forces struck an agreement that could now open a new chapter of hope as far as implementing Chapter Two of the deal is concerned.

While the signing of this agreement was monumental and the breaking of the stalemate necessary, the mysterious key that unlocked the stand-off is yet to be known. But according to the opposition parties in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), they compromised a lot for their country to sign the agreement on unification of command with the government.

The Director for Information and Public Relations and the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, Puok Both Baluang, said after reaching an agreement with the government, there was no point for further confrontation after the parties agreed on 60:40 and 55:45 percentages to be applied in all structures.

Deal reached

“The ratios are a minimum of 60:40 to 55:45 in all structures. The country was at a crossroads between reverting to violence or continuing on the peace course. We chose peace,” he said as he explained why they abandoned their previous demand for a 50:50 sharing ratio for the forces’ command.

“No point for further confrontation since the parties had agreed to these percentages.” For our part, we are committed to it and the whole agreement. “

Puok reiterated that the 60:40 ratio applies to the army, with a total of 12 positions, as seven go to the R-TGoNU and five to the opposition. He added that the security will be based on a sharing ratio of 55:45 with a total of nine positions, where the R-TGoNU will have five positions while the opposition will have four positions.

Also, the official spokesperson for the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Samuel Shan, said the ratio had not yet been publicised for media consumption and could not be opened up where exactly the 60:40 and 55:45 sharing ratios would be applied in the command structures.

“The command structure is still not yet made public, but it is within the principle as we talk, so it will be made official for media consumption,” Shan said.

Agreement signed

On Sunday, the government and the armed opposition parties to the revitalised peace agreement reached an agreement on the unification of command in the army.

The presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime, said the country had finally alighted at the dock of peace, as the graduation of more than 50,000 necessary unified forces would soon take place as stipulated in the revitalised peace agreement.

“Today, we have reached a peace. We have completed all the security arrangements for the current forces at training centres and for the second batch, “he said.

“After one week from today, we will come up with the timetable, including for the graduation of forces at training centres and for the second batch to start the training.”

He lauded the government of Sudan, represented by the Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan Sovereign Council, Mohammed Hamdan, for his relentless sacrifice for the full implementation of the peace agreement.

The Minister of Mining, who spoke on behalf of the opposition parties, Martin Obocha, said the signing of the agreement was a milestone in the implementation of Chapter Two of the peace agreement, concerning the unification of forces.

“Today we have moved forward to reach an understanding of how we shall implement Chapter Two of the agreement,” Mr. Obocha said.

“The people of South Sudan are yearning for peace. Today we have reached a milestone. We have agreed and we have signed an understanding that we shall be moving forward,” he added.

Terms of agreement

According to the agreement, the opposition generals will be appointed to the unified command structure this week, and the graduation of the unified forces will take place two months after the agreement is signed.

The opposition is expected to return and abide by the cessation of hostilities agreement, as parties to the agreement are obliged not to facilitate defections.

Phase two of the peace agreement is expected within a month, media propaganda and hostilities are barred as trust-building is encouraged at the presidency.