The minister of state for foreign affairs Okello Oryem has expressed concern over an alliance of opposition groups in South Sudan, that may threaten a fragile peace agreement between the main foes Salva Kiir and Reik Machar.
Okello Oryem was commenting on the preliminary power-sharing deal signed last week, between the South Sudan government and the main rebel group, aimed at ending the country’s nearly five-year civil war.
The agreement leaves President Salva Kiir as head of a transitional government while returning rebel chief Riek Machar to his previous position as first vice president.
The deal signed on Wednesday stipulates that there will be 35 ministers in the transitional government — 20 from Kiir’s group and nine from Machar’s, while the rest will represent other groups.
The deal follows a framework agreement signed last month in Khartoum.
However, an alliance of small opposition groups refused to sign the power-sharing deal. Okello Oryem calls on Kiir and Machar to accommodate the interests of these smaller groups.
The minister is concerned that each time an agreement is signed, there is a breach of the ceasefire from both sides.
