Amnesty body wants two more mediators

Mar 05, 2007

The Amnesty Commission has proposed that two more mediators join the South Sudanese Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, to guide the stalled Juba peace talks.

By Josephine Maseruka

The Amnesty Commission has proposed that two more mediators join the South Sudanese Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, to guide the stalled Juba peace talks.

The commission’s chairman, Justice Peter Onega, on Friday said for any mediation to be successful, the mediator must be accepted by both parties.

The Juba peace talks between the Government and Joseph Kony’s Lord Resistance Army (LRA) stalled after the rebels mistrusted Machar and requested for a change of venue among other reasons.

Onega noted that whereas Machar is mediating from a well informed position, the LRA leaders no longer fully trust him.

The commission noted that the new arrangement would allay the fears that one person could be manipulated. “The three would then move on to guide the peace talks by either consensus or majority decision.”

Flanked by commissioners Ganyana Miiro, Thomas Kise-mbo and Grace Ocitti, Onega said they believe that Juba is the best venue for talks.

They appealed to the LRA leaders and the Government to accept the extension of the Cessation of hostilities Agreement and to observe the obligations therein.

The commission urged both parties to avoid provocative language that could create hostilities.

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