Dr. Lam Akol, leader of the National Democratic Party. | File photo.

The National Democratic Movement led by Dr. Lam Akol has announced that the party will join the implementation of the two-year peace roadmap, after criticizing the extension.

In a statement extended to Eye Radio, NDM Spokesperson Mahmoud said the group cannot isolate itself from the peace process, since majority of the parties have already agreed to the extension.

“Now that the adoption of the new plan has become a fait accompli, the NDM cannot isolate itself from the crowd,” he said.

“Hence, this is to declare that the NDM shall henceforth join the implementation of the new roadmap that extends the transitional period for another two years as from 20 February 2023.”

In August 2022, parties to the unity government extended the 2018 peace deal, to give it time to accomplish the pending chapters of the agreement.

During the discussion on the peace implementation roadmap in Juba, the peace government resolved to stay in power until December 2024, when elections are expected to usher in a new government.

The parties said this is because the peace agreement required elections to be conducted six months before the end of the transitional period.

When he previously commented on the extension last year, NDM Chairman Dr. Lam Akol said the decision by the peace parties in Juba, was the outcome of a deliberate obstruction to the speedy implementation of the peace provisions.

He had termed it as a deliberate tactic by the unity government to stay in power.

However, the NDM now retracted from its previous position, saying it will join the road map implementation.

The SOSA-affiliate group, however said the new roadmap must begin with a thorough evaluation of the implementation process in the last four years to avoid the previous mistake.

It also described the extension as an opportunity to engage the non-signatories to the agreement.

NDM called for an all-inclusive conference to discuss the way forward, adding that it will be a good gesture to win the confidence of South Sudanese refugees and IDPs to encourage their return to their homes.

The unity government is yet to comment on the announcement of NDM to join the roadmap implementation.