IGAD says the creation of more states should not delay the formation of a transitional government of national unity.

Last week, the government and the SPLM-In Opposition failed to meet the deadline set by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission to form the unity government.

The opposition says the creation of the 28 states is against the peace agreement and should be reversed.
But the government says it is a demand of the people and should not be revoked.

In a statement, the IGAD Council of Ministers says the presidential order creating the ten states into 28 is inconsistent with the peace agreement.

But it urges the parties to quickly form the unity government to enable dialogue on the matter.

If the parties continue to disagree even after the formation of a transitional government, IGAD urges the suspension of further action on implementing the creation of the new states.

The suspension would be in place until an inclusive national boundaries commission reviews the creation and the boundaries of the states within one month.

IGAD “urges the Parties, subsequent to the formation of the TGoNU at national level, in the absence of agreement on the creation of new states, to suspend further action on implementing the operationalization of new states until an inclusive, participatory National Boundary Commission comprising all Parties to ARCSS reviews proposed states and their boundaries, and that this review process occur, for a period of up to one month.”

IGAD says the commission should comprise all parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

The National Alliance, which has petitioned the Supreme Court over the creation of more states, has welcomed the statement of IGAD.

“Although the National Alliance has been calling, all along for the decision to create the 28 states to be revoked, we believe that the compromise proposal by IGAD to suspend its operationalization for a month is something we can live with in order to salvage the peace process,” Dr Lam Akol, the chairman, said at a news conference in Juba on Tuesday.

“We congratulate IGAD for reminding all of us to stick to the strict implementation of the peace agreement, as this is the only way to stop the suffering of our people, and keep the country united.”

For its part, the government has expressed confidence in agreeing with the SPLM in Opposition after the creation of more states.

“We appreciate the decision, the stand taken by the IGAD and by the AU, and that we will continue to implement the agreement as it is,” the minister of information, Michael Makuei told Eye Radio.

“Whatever is there, whatever the hurdles that are there will definitely be crossed and we will continue to work together in the road of peace. Definitely, we will agree.”

The SPLM in Opposition is yet to respond to the statement. But previously, it said the transitional government should be formed after passing the constitution.

It said the new constitution should also be based on the ten states.