South Sudanese leaders block peace progress to form transitional gov’t: US

ADDIS ABABA—THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD Newspaper 26 April 2016: The United States Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson with Bureau of Public Affairs John Kirby announced that the Government of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -SPLM/A-IO (IO) have blocked the peace progress despite various parties, such as South Sudan’s neighbours, United Nations Mission in South Sudan, China, African Union, European Union, South Sudanese among others, exerted efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country.
In a press release the American Embassy in Addis Ababa sent to The Ethiopian Herald recently the United States is disappointed by the continued failure of the Government of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-SPLM/A-IO (IO) to form the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) and implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The South Sudanese government denied landing permission to flights for the return of opposition leader Riek Machar here Saturday. “Thus, this interference resulted in the failure to meet the deadline in the compromise proposal put forward by the regional and international partners of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission that was agreed by both sides,” John Kirby added.
The USA as well has previously condemned obstruction by the IO, including the arbitrary demand by Riek Machar that more forces and heavy weapons than was previously agreed precede his arrival to Juba.
According to the press release, USA would work with partners those whom are committed to implementation of the Agreement particularly its provisions for reform of the security sector and public finances and for reconciliation and accountability.
John Kirby further noted that the scope of future U.S. engagement in helping South Sudan confront the country’s security, economic and development challenges, however, will depend on the parties demonstrating commitment to work together to implement the Agreement.  “We have been working intensively with our partners, especially Ethiopia, to facilitate Riek Machar’s return,” John Kirby also said.
Riek Machar’s return underlined that, given the actions by both sides to prevent or delay his return, it is now time for the parties to assume primary responsibility for facilitating the return of Riek Machar to Juba to form the TGNU and to demonstrate that they are genuinely committed to peace.
BY FANUEL LAKEW