Rome Talks described as a ‘milestone’ as parties lay path to discuss ‘real political issues’
The leaders of the two negotiating teams of the peace talks between SSOMA and R-TGoNU have described the outcome of the third round of talks as a milestone despite the parties’ failure to reach any conclusive agreement. They made the remarks during a press conference organized by The Sant’Egidio Community in Rome, Italy on October 14, 2020.
However, the parties initialed one document recommitting them to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), and in so doing, facilitates the inclusion of SSOMA into a mechanism for monitoring and verifications of the CoHA.
Another document – the Declaration of Principles (DOP) – was also initialed. The DOP, which highlights the core and fundamental root causes of the problems in South Sudan, shall serve as the basis for further negotiations, scheduled to resume November 30, 2020.
Speaking during the press conference on behalf of SSOMA, Gen Thomas Cirillo praised the achievements reached during the talks, adding that they are milestones that will guide the parties “during the negotiations to do good things for our people of South Sudan”, and that “it is for the first time that we have started to discuss the real political issues that are affecting our country”
This is a milestone… it is for the first time that we have started to discuss the real political issues – as noted in the DOP – that are facing the country
“We managed to recommit ourselves to the CoHA, because we believe that unless we create a conducive environment and allow the humanitarian organizations to reach our people who are in dire need, the hope for peace will not be there…. that is why we (SSOMA) have recommitted ourselves to cease hostilities and create this environment for dialogue for the sake of the people of South Sudan, and we hope that the R-TGoNU too, has the same intension for the people of South Sudan.
“The recommitment of the two parties to the CoHA gives the people hope that SSOMA and the R-TGoNU are committed and will continue negotiations until they achieve what the people of South Sudan want.
“During these talks, we also discussed the political Declaration of Principles (DOP) and we agreed and initialed important points that are going to guide us during the negotiations to do good things for our people.
“This is a milestone… it is for the first time that we have started to discuss the real political issues that we are all willing to resolve.
Find below the full press conference
