Paris, FRANCE: Sudanese Lam Akol gives a press conference, 14 June 2006 in Paris. |AFP PHOTO MEHDI FEDOUACH (Photo credit should read MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP via Getty Images)

The Chairman of the National Democratic Movement said Monday his party is a signatory to the 2018 peace deal and he can return to Juba at any time he wants while responding to a call from Chollo King to “come home”.

Dr. Lam Akol, however, expressed gratitude to King Kwongo for his efforts encouraging President Salva Kiir to make peace with Chollo politicians.

The king on Saturday appealed to exiled opposition politicians including Dr. Lam Akol, Pagan Amum and Oyai Deng Ajak to return to Juba and actively take part in the peace process.

King Kwongo said peace has come and South Sudanese should open their hearts and reconcile with one another for the sake of the country.

He also appealed to President Kiir to grant amnesty to holdout politicians from his kingdom.

But in response, Dr. Lam said his party is part of the unity government and he does not need another agreement to come to Juba.

“I thank the king of Chollo for appealing to Salva Kiir to be able to accept making peace with the people he mentioned, but of course, as everybody knows, the NDM is a part of the peace process,” he told Eye Radio.

The NDM leader said his party has taken part in peace process implementation and established political representation and presence in different parts of the country.

He added that he will come to Juba anytime he wishes.

“We have signed the peace agreement in 2018, we have been taken part in the implementation mechanism, we are part of the government, we have members who are members of the parliament, who are in the states governments.”

“So, the NDM is a part of the peace process, so, there’s nothing new for us at least. we in the NDM don’t need to be have a new process.”

“Our people are there in Juba, Malakal, Wau and Torit and in every place and it’s just a matter of anybody coming anytime he wishes, so, we don’t need any agreement to be made for us to be in Juba.”

Over the weakened in Juba, the National Democratic Movement launched its head office in  Juba.

During the launch, the party spokesperson Mahmoud Abdelrahaman appealed to the unity government to grant equal and fair opportunities for all political parties ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

Eye Radio is yet to speak with Pagan Amum and General Oyayi Deng for their comments on the King’s “come home” appeal.