Information Minister Michael Makuei | File photo.

The government is insisting that negotiations with the SPLM/SPLA –in Opposition should be moved to Juba to enable other political parties and civil society organizations to participate in the talks.

The government delegation has reportedly presented to IGAD the proposal on the relocation of the talks to Juba but the issue has not been discussed by the two parties.

Michael Makuei Lueth, who is the spokesperson of the government delegation to the Addis Ababa talks, told Eye Radio that for the talks to attract more participants, they should be transferred to South Sudan.

Mr Makuei said the government will pledge its commitment to the security of all participants in the dialogue in Juba.

“There is no way you can hold an overall inclusive dialogue that will be attended by all stakeholders in the Republic of South Sudan, other than in the Republic of South Sudan. Because if you are really serious and you want to have an overall inclusive dialogue or conference, it means the conference will be attended by over 500 to 1,000 people. Who is capable of accommodating all these people outside South Sudan? We strongly believe that if we are genuine and we really want to bring peace to our people, then we take it to the South, so that all the stakeholders at various levels participate, so that we reach a final and peaceful conclusion to all our problems. And I think the only group which may fear going to Juba are the rebels, but if we agree with them, we will respect that agreement, we will abide by it. They can even be protected by other bodies including UNMISS, so that they attend and talk to the people,” he said.

However, the spokesperson of the SPLM/SPLA –in Opposition, Hussein Maar Nyuat, told Eye Radio that Juba is not neutral ground for talks between the two parties.

“The venue cannot be Juba because the security situation in Juba is not good. We can’t see it. If they could not provide security for people who are in the government and have not even rebelled, what about people who already have an issue with the government? It cannot be in Juba. If it is the issue of inclusivity of other political parties or civil society organizations to attend, we want inclusive talks, and all the political parties and civil society organizations can still come to Addis Ababa for the talks, and it is not the government of South Sudan that is paying for them. If they are worried that the number is going to be big, it is not actually the government of South Sudan that is taking care of the bills. Always when there are warring parties, we need neutral ground where people will talk freely, express their opinions and discuss the issues,” he said.

The two parties to the conflict have presented their proposals on the agenda to IGAD mediators for harmonization.

The IGAD mediation team is expected to present both sides with a final draft of the issues that will be negotiated upon in the second round of direct talks, which is yet to begin.