Pres Y Museveni (centre), Salva Kiir (in black hat) and leaders of other groups at State House, Entebbe on July 20, 2017. Photo | Courtesy

President Salva Kiir and the Former Detainees have renewed their commitment to reunify the ruling party, the acting Secretary-General of the SPLM has said.

This comes after a one-day meeting of the three factions of the party in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Friday.

Jemma Nunu Kumba says the President led the government faction while Rebecca Nyandeng headed heading the delegation of the former political detainees.

But she says the faction of the former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar was absent during the meeting.

“We all agreed that the unity of the SPLM is paramount and is very important for bringing peace to South Sudan and for uniting the people of South Sudan,” Ms Nunu told reporters upon arrival on Saturday.

“We have also agreed to expedite the implementation of the Arusha agreement which is the agreement address differences that arose among the SPLM leaders in 2013.”

Ms. Nunu says the meeting was facilitated by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to enable the reunification of the SPLM as stipulated in the Arusha Agreement.

She said President Museveni will send an invitation to former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to attend or send a delegation to a meeting that will take place on July 27.

Eye Radio’s attempt to reach the FDs for comment were unsuccessful.

South Sudan’s conflict began in December 2013 when in-fighting erupted in the ruling SPLM.

More than a dozen officials from the SPLM were thrown in shortly after the fighting started. They were accused of plotting to oust President Salva Kiir in a coup.

Most of them were released within weeks to the custody of the Kenyan authorities. The have come to be known as the former political detainees.

They include Deng Alor Kuol, John Luk Jok, Cirino Hiteng, Kosti Manibe, and Madut Biar.