President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday evening issued a presidential order establishing a broad-based leadership committee to conduct dialogue on election-related issues in South Sudan.
The new committee includes representatives from SPLM, SPLM-IO (Stephen Par Kuol faction), the National Agenda, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), other political parties, former detainees, eminent personalities, and key civil society stakeholders, but notably excludes loyalists of Dr. Riek Machar.
From SPLM, the committee includes Akol Paul Kordit, Kuol Manyang Juuk, Aleu Ayieny Aleu, Africano Mande Gedima, Tut Gatluak Manime, Michael Makuei Lueth, Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Louis Lobong Lojore, Tor Deng Mawien, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Tulio Odongi, Lily Albino Akol Akol, and Emmanuel Adil.
Representatives of the National Agenda include Martin Elia Lomuro, Joseph Malek Arop, Taban Luka Guya, Pasqualina Philip Waden, Bol Tobi Maduot, Dhoruai Mabor Teny, Onyoti Adigo, Suheel Deng, Magot Maker Mayendit, and Mario Areng Wet.
The SPLM-IO faction led by Stephen Par Kuol contributes Stephen Par Kuol, Lasuba Ludoru Wango, Agok Makur Kur, Sarah Cleto, James Mawich Makuach, Luke Thompson, Yar Telar Ring, Ding Lam Yual, and George Mathor Mayom.
The SSOA is represented by Dinay Jock Chagor, Gabriel Changson Chang, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Costello Garang Riiny Lual, Julius Daniel Tabule, Changkuoth Bichiok Reath, Moro Isaac Jenensio, and Clement Juma Mbugoniwia.
Other political parties are represented by Albino Akol Atak, Mayen Deng Alier, Richard Omony Valet, Martin Tako Moyi, Peter Mayen Majongdit, and Kornelio Kon Ngu. Former detainees include Deng Alor Kuol, Madut Biar Yel, Isaiah Hakim Garang, Majak D’Agot, and Gier Chuang Aluong.
Eminent personalities on the committee include His Eminence Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Mulla, Primate Archbishop Justin Badia Arama, Bishop Emeritus Enock Tombe Loro, Archbishop Daniel Garang Bul, Archbishop Elia Taban, Sheikh Abdallah Baraj Rual, Sheikh Juma Saeed Ali, Francis Mading Deng, and Moses Machar Kachuol. Stakeholders include Alikayo Aligo Samson, Biel Butrus Biel, Edmond Yakani, Simon Akuei Deng, Alokir Malual, Mary Akech Bior, Sarah Nyanath Elijah, Rita M. Lopidia, Pauline Riak, Sheikh Mohammed Hassan Morjan, and Steward Soro Budia.
The presidential order allows for additional political parties or groups not currently signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to join the committee once they confirm participation.
The committee is mandated to complete its work within 45 days and report back to the presidency.
While government officials describe the body as inclusive and representative, critics warn that the absence of Dr. Machar’s loyalists could limit the legitimacy and credibility of the dialogue, potentially affecting efforts to resolve key election-related issues and ensure a peaceful transition.
