Concerned by the current political uncertainty, Dr. Aldo Ajou Deng, a legislator in South Sudan’s transitional National Legislature [Council of States], has proposed a national roundtable dialogue involving all political party leaders.
In a statement obtained by Standard Zone News, Deng who represents Northern Bahr el Ghazal State believes this dialogue is essential to safeguard the nation from a slide into tribal feudalism and lawlessness.
“South Sudan needs a national roundtable; a comprehensive political dialogue involving the R-TGoNU, all signatory parties, civil society, faith groups, and community leaders,” Deng stated.
He stated that participation in this political dialogue should be conditional on the fundamental principle that all political actors operate within the national framework, without aligning with tribal militias or extra-legal forces.
“This does not exclude dialogue with all sides, including the SPLM-IO. But it requires a transformation; a public renunciation of tribal violence, a reaffirmation of national ideals, and respect for the legal process underway concerning the Nasir crisis,” Deng stated, adding that a dialogue cannot be used as a shield to evade justice.
The lawmaker further stated that the country still has a potential chance to progress “if political participation is separated from tribal militias and impunity.”
“We must embrace dialogue to achieve permanent peace, security, prosperity, and unity,” he asserted.
This call comes at a time when the 2018 peace accord intended to end the conflict in South Sudan faces numerous challenges in its implementation, including security arrangements and other critical tasks.
Recently, political tensions have escalated mainly due to disputes over security arrangements following clashes in Nasir County of Upper Nile State, involving armed civilians allegedly allied with the SPLM/A-IO (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
The situation was exacerbated further when the chairman of SPLM/A-IO, who is also the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, was placed under house arrest.
This action raised concerns about potential derailment of the peace agreement and prompted numerous activists, political leaders, church groups, and members of the international community to call for political dialogue among leaders of the parties.
On April 10th, the embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the Delegation of the European Union, issued a statement calling for dialogue among the leaders of political parties in the country.
“The Embassies and the Delegation reaffirm their call for the release of the political detainees to permit the immediate resumption of direct dialogue among the leaders of all parties, including President Kiir and First Vice President Machar,” read the joint statement issued on April 10, 2025
