Dialogue committee says won’t set deadlines for peace dialogue

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Dialogue committee says won’t set deadlines for peace dialogue
File photo: rebel leader Riek Machar
File photo: rebel leader Riek Machar

South Sudan’s national dialogue deputy co-chair Gabriel Yoal Dok said
they will not set deadlines for the dialogue process and still
consider open talks with all opposition groups in the country.

“We cannot set deadlines for the national dialogue. We cannot say that
it will be closed after one month, two month or one year because we
want to find radical solutions in South Sudan,” said Yoal in an
interview with Radio Tamazuj today.

He said the deadlines for the dialogue process remains unclear,
pointing out that the national dialogue committee needs to engage
other parties, including all warring parties as the only way to make
the dialogue genuine.

The deputy co-chair further said they are working to build trust among
the people. “”No opposition party came to Juba up to now that’s why we
said we cannot close the door. We are working on the issue of
dialogue,” he said.

Yoal revealed that financial challenges are affecting the work of the
committee charged with steering the dialogue, but urged well-wishers
to support the dialogue process in the country.

In May President Kiir launched the national dialogue body to organise
the national dialogue expected to include the armed opposition to
address the root causes of the conflict.

However, the opposition hinted that it will not be part of the
process, describing it as “bogus.”