Dr Riek Machar, Juba, 2013

Former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has said peace talks – without all the three conflicting communities of Jonglei – would be pointless. 

The government is currently working to ensure that renegade David Yau Yau puts down arms and rejoins the national army.

But Yau Yau has reportedly rejected peace talks if they include the participation of members of the Dinka Bor and Nuer communities.

He accuses the two communities of being rivals to his Murle ethnic group.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio today, Dr. Riek Machar, who is also the deputy chairperson of the SPLM, said it is vital to involve all communities in peace dialogue in Jonglei state.

“If Yau Yau is serious – if he wants to arrive at a peace agreement, these communities should be involved at this stage so that when an agreement is reached, it becomes easy for the representatives of these communities who have participated in those peace talks to go and sell the agreement,” added Dr. Riek.

“Or else, the peace agreement will just be between the government and Yau Yau…and these raids and counter-raiding between the three communities will continue without being stopped.”

In May 2010, Yau Yau led an armed group in a clash with the SPLA after he accused the Jonglei government of rigging election results.

He signed a ceasefire with the government in June 2011, which was designed to integrate him and his militia into the SPLA.

However, In April 2012 he defected again, and has been leading a militia group in Jonglei since then.