Uganda’s presidency on Thursday announced South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and chief rebel leader Riek Machar have agreed to delay the formation of the unity government for 100 days beyond the November 12 deadline, reported Reuters.
The decision was taken during a meeting in Uganda. The meeting was attended by Kiir, Machar, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the head of the Sudan Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah El-Burhan.
The Kampala meeting was the third between Kiir and Machar since the latter returned to the country this year under an IGAD brokered peace deal. It was the last effort to resolve outstanding disputes preventing the formation of a coalition government by the deadline.
“The summit made several resolutions among which is extending the pre-transitional period for 100 days, with progress reviewed after 50 days. A mechanism will also be established for Guarantors and Parties to supervise the implementation of talks,” Museveni said in a statement.
“We resolved to ask IGAD countries to address the status of Dr. Riek Machar and also urge the international community to continue supporting this revitalized peace process,” the statement added.
South Sudan plunged into civil war in 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president. Kiir and Machar’s fallout sparked a conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead and more than 4 million people displaced.
It is the second time the deadline for the formation of the unity government has been pushed back since the two rivals signed a truce last September under pressure from the United Nations, the United States, and regional governments. They had agreed to join forces in a coalition government by November 12, 2019.
Lam Paul Gabriel, a spokesman for Machar, praised the new agreement. He said the deadline extension is good and will enable the security arrangements to be completed if resources are availed as required.
