Dr. Martin Elia, cabinet affairs minister | File photo

South Sudan Democratic Forum has criticized the IGAD selection process to the peace talks in Addis Ababa, citing poor representation.

The party’s leader Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, has criticized the IGAD’s selection process for the inclusive talks.

Yesterday, IGAD’s Chief Mediator Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin said the SPLM in-Opposition complained about the way the selection of participants was carried out.

Dr. Lomuro who is also the Minister of Cabinet Affairs told journalists in Juba that the civil society groups present in Addis Ababa do not represent the people of South Sudan because they were hand-picked.

“The youth must be represented by their own, elected by youth. political parties must be representing their political parties, not everybody forming themselves and go for peace talks, some of whom have never even seen South Sudan,” said Dr Lomoro.

“All stakeholders must be elected from the grassroots, for example; if you have women groups, the women must be elected, not everybody claiming to be representing women to go for peace talks.”