Opposition Groups Call for Review of Peace Deal

Eight South Sudanese opposition groups and civil society organisations have called on regional bloc IGAD to review the country’s peace agreement and convene an inclusive national political dialogue. In a joint letter dated 23 September … [t]hey said the transitional arrangements had reached 22 September without an agreed successor framework, creating what they described as a constitutional and political crisis. The groups also criticised recent changes to the 2018 peace agreement and electoral laws. They said amendments to the R-ARCSS in July had removed the link between elections and completion of a permanent constitution and national census. They further said President Salva Kiir Mayardit had assented on 21 September to amendments to the National Elections Act that would keep the president in office during the electoral period while allowing for the removal of the first vice-president and other vice-presidents. The signatories argued that the changes undermined the power-sharing structure established under the peace agreement, which provides for a president, first vice-president and other vice-presidents. Radio Tamazuj