A delegation led by the three governors of Equatoria is in Addis Ababa to meet IGAD mediators and heads of states over the proposal to create a new position of the First Vice President.

IGAD mediators have proposed that this position shall be filled by a nominee from the SPLM in Opposition and the current position of the Vice President shall be retained during the transitional period.

Clement Wani Konga, Louis Lobong Lojore and Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro say that Equatorians have rejected the creation of the new post.

Mr Lobong spoke on behalf of the delegation in Addis Ababa this afternoon.

“The Equatorians feel that this proposal is not the right one. It is not addressing the cause of the problem and we have rejected the proposal, particularly the issue of the vice president, James Wani Igga to step down for Riek Machar,” Governor Lobong protested.

“We reject it in totality as Equatorians, as a region. The second is the joint powers that have been given to Riek and the President. We also say the president is an elected president; he cannot share powers with Riek Machar.”

The position of the Equatorian delegation was reached at an emergency meeting of representatives from the three states in Juba yesterday.

The SPLM in Opposition has also rejected the proposal, saying it will not contribute to a lasting peace in the country.