Dutch peace organization says South Sudan government is not legitimate

A Dutch organization working on peace, reconciliation and justice has published a policy brief saying the current government in South Sudan is not legitimate under the terms of the 2015 peace accord, and the country’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai lacks support and legitimacy as political head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition.

A policy brief on political strategy for the the world’s youngest nation entitled “South Sudan needs a multilateral strategy,” published by The Netherlands-based organization PAX, said a multilateral political strategy is sorely needed and the Dutch government could play an important role at a number of levels in achieving such a strategy.

The policy brief pointed out that the situation in South Sudan is dire, while urging the Dutch government to take a number of steps to prevent the situation in South Sudan from deteriorating further.

The group further said South Sudan needs to be supported to foster the action plan for peace, national dialogue, transitional justice and civic space.

The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) is the only organization which can give form to a broadly supported national peace process, according to PAX.

The peace organization noted that the national dialogue launched by President Salva Kiir in December 2016 resembles the national dialogue in Sudan, which it said has served only to exacerbate the conflict.

PAX advised the Dutch government to establish clear basic criteria for political or military support for a national dialogue process in South Sudan, and not to lend any support to the current government’s dialogue proposals.

PAX is a non-profit, non-governmental peace organization in The Netherlands and around the world. The organization is working on peace, reconciliation and justice in the world, by working with people and organisations in conflict areas.