The Sudan People Liberation Movement in opposition SPLM/IO has rejected presidential order that unified the army and police, demanding fifty percent share in the new unified command arrangement.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday issued a Republican decree allocating four positions in the army and national polices service to SPLM-IO and one to the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
The positions include Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Assistance CDF for Moral Orientation to SPLA-IO, assistance chief inspector of police, deputy IGP, all given to the SPLA in position. SSOA takes Assistance inspector general of police.
The SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar described the presidential order as violation of the revitalized peace agreement says they were not consulted before taking the decision. He called the peace guarantors to intervene and quickly stop the country’s deteriorating security situation.
“The unilateral decision by President Salva Kiir violates the R-ARCSS. It is a clear rejection of the ongoing mediation process by the republic of the Sudan, chair of IGAD,” Machar said in statement.
The SPLM-IO says the composition of the forces should be based on the ratio of 50 percent for former IGoNU and 50 percent for opposition.
It called for the guarantors to intervene and break the deadlock between the parties to the peace deal. President Salva Kiir has directed the Chief and Defense Forces and Inspector General of Police to implement his order immediately.
Last week, the South Sudan people defense force (SSPDF) and the SPLM/A/IO trade were blamed for fresh fighting in Longechuk County in Upper Nile State.