Maj. Gen. Bior Leek Kuareng, speaking on behalf of the FDs at the 4th R-JMEC Extraordinary Meeting in Juba on Tuesday, October 7, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to peace and dialogue but used the forum to “register my disappointments.”

Bior pointed to two specific actions he deemed violations of the peace accord, which include unilateral removal and portfolio swapping.

In a series of decrees read on state television on Monday, October 6, President Salva Kiir replaced Deng Alor Kuol, the Minister of East African Affairs, with Beny Gideon as the new minister, who is not a member of the Former Detainees.

Maj. Gen Bior highlighted the recent unilateral removal of the FDs’ chairperson, Deng Alor, from his position by presidential decree.

He also cited the recent swap of the ministerial portfolios originally assigned to the FDs, specifically citing the Transport and Health ministries.

Bior suggested that these actions undermine the integrity of the power-sharing arrangements designed by the R-ARCSS.

“We have been quiet a little bit, we do not complain, we do not protest, but I see this opportunity to register my disappointments,” Kuareng stated, stressing that such unilateral decisions cast doubt on the future of dialogue among the parties.

The FDs remain committed to the implementation of the peace agreement and to peaceful dialogue, despite the reported grievances.