IGAD, EU and Austrian Development Agency sign agreement on Peace and Security in Horn of Africa (23.03.2018)

South Sudan: The Political Opposition Forces – Communique (19.10.2017)

Position of South Sudan Council of Churches Regarding the Revitalisation of the Implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) – (13.10.2017)

CEPO of South Sudan: “Working Points for IGAD-LED Revitalization Porcess” (15.10.2017)

Opinion: IGAD wants sanctions revoked against Sudan, the Employee wants to deliver for its Member!

Ambassador Mahboub Malim said this in August: ““First of all, I am an employee of President Kiir, among other presidents. So, to ask me what I can tell him, is like asking your house helper to tell you to change something in your house. But this is on a light note” (Lumu, 2017).

Again, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) had their meeting in Khartoum, holding their Inter-Parliament Union there. So to show their loyalty between the IGAD Parliamentarians, they have decided that in good faith and also their support of the Republic of Sudan. Member States are clearly now getting positive service and to the government inside the IGAD. Therefore, the supporting effect of the IGAD is dwindling down, since it is more a big microphone, than actually being there for strengthening the nations themselves.

“The final communique has called for revolting the unjust economic sanctions imposed against the Sudan so that the country would take its natural position at the regional and international arenas. The conference has meanwhile called for boosting the roles of the government in achieving peace and raising awareness on issues related to environmental questions. The conference also stressed the need to put in place legislations that encourage agricultural investment, urging government to exert more efforts for the stability at home and to refrain from intervention in the domestic affairs of others” (SUNA, 2017).

“Khartoum, Sep. 18 (SUNA) – Meetings of the 12th session of the Executive Council and Ninth Conference of the Speakers of Parliaments of the IGAD Member States were Monday concluded at the Friendship Hall. The conference recommended lifting of the American sanctions being imposed on Sudan to enable it restore its normal position at the regional and international levels” (SUNA, 2017).

That IGAD wants the Sudanese government to get their sanctioned ceased. This while the arms are getting distributed in Darfur. Also the troubles in Blue Nile State. The Sudanese State are clearly involved with crimes against humanity and the vicious violence against their own citizens. Therefore, the IGAD proposing to end sanctions should have made more progress. As even militias and state army has inflicted hurt to UN PoC Camps in Darfur. If they want the moral high-ground they should actually make sure one of their states are in peace. That Sudanese government can work with SPLM-N and other opposition parties in the Republic.

IGAD are now acting indifference to the situation, as the government has troubles with their domestic affairs. Since they have civil-war in Darfur. There is also trouble in other states, as well as the relationship and the border states of South Sudan. IGAD should try to make sure the Sudan government had made sure for peace, not to build-up their confidence and think they could get away with violence in Darfur, that continues for years upon end. And still continuing! Peace.

Reference:

Lumu, David – ‘IGAD boss applauds Uganda on South Sudan’ (23.08.2017) – New Vision Article

Sudan News Agency – ‘IGAD Parliamentarians Call for Revoking Economic Sanctions against the Sudan’ (18.09.2017) link: http://suna-sd.net/suna/showNews/354065/en?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Sudan News Agency – ‘Ninth Conference of the Speakers of Parliaments of the IGAD Member States Concluded in Khartoum’ (18.09.2017) link: http://suna-sd.net/suna/showNews/354068/en?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Opinion: Ambassador Mahboub Maalim in an interview states the IGAD failure in South Sudan and why!

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been in-charge and had a pivotal role in the peacemaking in South Sudan. Not that it has stopped the civil-war that has escalated since June 2016. The Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), also between more rebel fractions inside the Republic, as the Ugandans are trying to enforce unite inside the SPLM. This as there are different states that the rebels and opposition have been strong, while the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has not had the leadership to secure the Protection of Civilians sites in the Republic. Therefore, the interview of Mahboub Maalim of IGAD in New Vision was exposing something dire. Take a look!

Ambassador Mahboub Maalim on IGAD:

“First of all, I am an employee of President Kiir, among other presidents. So, to ask me what I can tell him, is like asking your house helper to tell you to change something in your house. But this is on a light note. President Kiir has been told a lot by his compatriots, heads of state from the region and African Union (AU), and those in the international community circles. People know that the South Sudanese do not have to continue dying after having achieved what they fought for. The situation in South Sudan is very unfortunate, and like you have said, IGAD has done a lot to try to stay on top of it. Recently, the heads of state of IGAD appointed a special IGAD envoy for South Sudan. Hopefully, we will see a lot of changes in the run-up to the operationalisation of the peace agreement in South Sudan” (…) “If the people in South Sudan are saying that we have failed them, I would not get surprised. If I was in their shoes, I would say the same. If I was like them, sitting in a sewage-logged UN camp in my own country, I would feel the same. But just to encourage them, IGAD has tried very much to ameliorate the problems in South Sudan since the problems started in 2013. In 2014, IGAD heads of state had a special meeting to just discuss South Sudan. It has never happened in our history that over 14 heads of state convene to discuss one subject. South Sudan is at the heart of everybody. Of course, whether this will be solved today or tomorrow depends on the goodwill of the South Sudanese themselves” (Lumu, 2017).

That the Ambassador said one vital thing, that he could not push the member states around. Since he could not tell what was wrong in someones else house, like to President Salva Kiir Mayardiit and his South Sudan. The Ambassador also wasn’t shocked if the they felt the IGAD had failed. They have really failed since ARCISS (Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, 2015). Doesn’t seem to be revived or anywhere near being fulfilled.

President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar of SPLM/A-IO are really battling for supremacy. Together with all the deflectors and deserters from both major armies that are making the situation more problematic. Since the IGAD has not made the peace-agreement work, nor had the capacity to make a successful negotiations between all parties. The South Sudanese should feel betrayed, when the Ambassador Mahboub Maalim are saying: “I am an employee of President Kiir, among other presidents. So, to ask me what I can tell him, is like asking your house helper to tell you to change something in your house”.

So it is not like the IGAD wants to rock the boat, as it is an entity respecting its member states and their direct leadership. Peace.

Reference:

Lumu, David – ‘IGAD boss applauds Uganda on South Sudan’ (23.08.2017) – New Vision Article

IGAD: Nairobi Declaration on Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees and Reintegration of Returnees in Somalia (25.03.2017)

 

Statement of IGAD Council of Ministers’ Consultation on the Current Situation in the Region (17.03.2017)