South Sudan Mediator calls on parties to meet on 28 new states

The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan,Festus Mogae, says the creation of 28 States in the country is a complicated matter that needs to be discussed further because it is in breach of the 2015 peace deal.

South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir dissolved the nation’s 10 regional states and created 28 new ones, in December 2015. The move was not welcomed by the rebels and the International community who saw the move as undermining the peace agreement meant to end the country’s two-year civil war.

“The picture is mixed because of the creation of the 28 states has been a complication matter. So all the other parties other than the government are against it and we would have to discuss it in the next meeting,” former Botswana President, Festus Mogae, said.

The warring parties on January 07 agreed to share ministerial positions in a transitional government of national unity.

“We hope the parties will comply with the agreement in order that peace can be brought about,” Mogae said

“As you know now the donors are not forthcoming as before because they are not very pleased with the event that has taken place,” he added.

The new agreement also stated that a transitional government would be created for a period of 30 months followed by an election.

The civil war has displaced more than 2.2 million people, since conflict erupted in their country in December 2013 between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and soldiers backing Riek Machar, the former vice president.