South Sudan warring sides to hold peace talks
Coletta Wanjohi
Addis Ababa
Rebels have asked the South Sudan government as one of the pre-conditions for the peace talks to have their own army. The leadership of the rebels say they should have two military forces in the new government, one of their own and another for the current government.
The rebel faction says it can only feel safe to serve in Juba if it has its own military protecting its interests. This idea however, has been contested not only by the government of South Sudan but the South Sudan law society. The legal body says that there is no legitimacy towards having independent armies. The legal body also argues that this will contract the security reforms suggested by the latest signed agreement.
The latest agreement signed by Riek Machar and president Salva kiir in February in Addis Ababa, highlights the need for security reforms in South Sudan. It however, does not outline in details of how the other non government military groups existing in South Sudan will be incorporated in the new government.
The rebel military leadership confirms it is still in control of some areas in South Sudan and will not disarm.
Analysts says that the issue of the military arrangements of the warring factions is a delicate one since it is one of proximate causes of the December 2013 conflict. As such it should be given priority before any further discussions into the transitional government are made since without a clear military mandate , they say South Sudan will plunge deeper into war .
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