(JW) – The SPLM-IO faction under Oyet Nathaniel has “condemned in the strongest term possible” the South Sudan government’s indictment of detained members and leader Dr. Riek Machar on serious charges, terming it a Kangaroo trial.
The opposition movement’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, clarifies that the SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG are principal signatories to the R-ARCSS which do not have the authority to prosecute members of each other.
“The responsibility of prosecution is enshrined in the R-ARCSS under section 5.3 on the establishment of Hybrid Court during the transitional period,” Mai stated.
Late on Thursday, President Salva Kiir suspended Machar and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol from office to allow the legal proceedings against them.
This followed the conclusion of an investigation on the fighting in Nasir County, which indicted the SPLM-IO leader on serious charges of murder, treason and crimes against humanity.
Mai, who has since fled Juba, also underscores that any investigation of military confrontations including the Nasir incident should be the task of ceasefire monitors CTSAM-VM and peace monitoring body R-JMEC, instead of the principal partners of the agreement.
Mai says “this unlawful act” is against the backdrop of repeated calls for unconditional release of SPLM/A-IO detainees and a return to dialogue to discuss the stalemate in the implementation of the agreement.
“Therefore the SPLM-IG’s planned sham trial and possible conviction of the SPLM-IO members, including H.E. Dr. Riek Machar by Kangaroo court on the listed trumped up charges constitute an abuse of power and total abrogation of the R-ARCSS.”
The opposition official added that the decision will shut the door of the prospect of future political settlement of the problem at stake as well as reconciliation and healing.
“We condemn this heinous act in the strongest term possible.”
