Radio Miraya
2727: Peace Talks in Nairobi, Kenya: Minister of Information and Government spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth
Yes, a very good morning. Six minutes to the top of the hour. You're listening to the Miraya breakfast show. And this is where the nation's biggest conversations begin every morning. Right about now, let's cross over to Nairobi, where the South Sudan mediation talks with holder groups are launching today. And Sonny Martin is with us now. And he will be talking to honorable Michael McQuill with the Minister of Information Communication Technology and Postal Services. McQuill is a part of the South Sudan delegation, who is currently currently in Nairobi. Sonny Martin, good morning. Good morning. Hi, Nairobi. If you can hear us, are we live? Yes, we are live and you are loud and clear. Take us away, Sonny. Okay. Thank you so much. We are live here in Nairobi. And like you just said rightly, the talks or the pre-talks between the government and the non-signatories as they're called, or the whole data has been going on here in Nairobi for the past one week. And it's been mediated by General Lazarus and Beyers, which is well known to many South Sudanese who mediated the CPA and brought the independence. And these talks are here in Nairobi. And I'm joined by the government on a partua, and also the government's first spokesperson, Minister of Information, Michael McQuill. Good morning, and welcome to Redi Mira. Good morning, Radio Miraian. Good morning citizens and listeners of the Radio Miraia of Nairobi, South Sudan. Okay. First of all, you have been here for the past one week. What has been going on in terms of the negotiation? Well, in terms of the negotiations, we had mini-opening. And after the mini-opening, we started preparing for the work. In terms of presentations and some minor discussions, but you know, this was simply because the mediation wanted to know, actually, the points of divergence and disagreements, so that they can work out the program for the peace talks. So during these days, we were able to, of course, as the government of South Sudan, we said, we should first listen to our grief parties who are the whole of our groups. And our non-signatories to the agreement and the other whole of our groups, so that they will hear their grievances, call their their grief party, and after listening to their grief party, then we will respond to their grievances as they come. So, within this week, as South Sudan United Fund led by a government point alone with the presentations, and then the presentations were around the issues around the agenda, which was agreed in in Rome. And in the post-op presentation, they presented issues with justice, which was one of the agenda, and then the economic and social affairs, number two, political and governance affairs, that was three, and then number four was on the, on the, on the point, on the civil service and the oil. These presentations were met, some fortunate that the next body, which was supposed to make the presentation work there, real, as well, more as well, and real, unfortunately, up to now, Pakistan has not come. So, there had been nothing, they decided not to make the presentation until their chairperson comes. Okay, but I was waiting for him to send the tickets, the most supposed to arrive last night. Did he come? I am not sitting in the air, and I don't know whether he has come or not. Okay, now, after that, after that presentation, it is that after that, we will be responding to their presentations and as to that, everyone seems to have. Okay, what about other groups like the National Salvation front of Thomas Erebo? And they, in this pre-talks negotiation? Well, it is not the whole, the Thomas, they are supposed to have came, and it is only the commanders on the ground who are invited, those Thomas after now do not confirm his, but the commanders on the ground have been invited, because what our major problem is, how do we silence that? So, guns cannot be silenced, but people who are in other places other than in the bushes of South Sudan. So, we are in the process of inviting these generals so that they become part and parcel of this. If yet, if Thomas comes, that would be welcome, and will be appreciated in addition to his generals, so that they will proceed with us and will proceed. Will the talks hold any water? If any group is missing, like Denis, for example? Well, of course, what we need at present is how best can we, in our approach, in our obligation that our approach to be holistic approach. We don't want to leave any party outside. We want all the South Sudanese who are in the whole of groups of non-South Sudanese to join us in this space talk, because what we need is peace for the people of South Sudan, and for peace to come in South Sudan, we start with those who are holding arms, and those who are actually causing insecurity to our people in South Sudan. And we will hide the appreciation. This all would come and join us. So from what you are here, and why is it not coming to attend the talks in Iran? Well, I think that question is not mine. Yes, but I understand. Okay, now, their launch is expected to happen this afternoon, and the president of the Republic South, again, my army is also expected to be attending. What should we expect from their launch today? Well, of course, the launch will be the official launching or a new operation of the peace talks. And this is, of course, a very important function for which the president who, I think, has invited some of the states and government to attend this function. And President Tsunfa, of course, is the one who will initiate it to take up this process and be a child of the process. So, President Tsunfa is coming today to come and back up and clarify to the people today, to the whole out groups, and the people of South Sudan that will come here for peace. And we hope that people of South Sudan who are sitting here will understand themselves, come up with an amicable solution, so that we take peace to our people as possible. And what impact or effect will this negotiation, which is happening today here, the launch officer launch in Nairobi, what effect will it have on the already ongoing implementation of the universalized peace agreement in South Sudan? Well, in February, we are here to build on the -- on the -- on the -- on the area by slice it. We are not here to reopen the agreement, but we are here to follow up from where the agreement is, so that we make sure that the agreement is implemented in roughly a couple of weeks. We are doing -- we are not coming here to reopen it up. Even the parties with the argument are not rejecting the agreement, as I wonder, they think that according to the presentation, much so far, they are only concerned with this lower implementation of the -- So, how do the parties agree to unify the agenda or not yet? Well, the -- the agenda is not yet, it will be one doubt after a very bunching, and it is there after that the mediators will come out this way, with the agenda for the business. And I know you are -- you are very busy, you have to go for your daily routine. What can the people of South Sudan expect from this ongoing effort to bring peace to South Sudan with the whole -- Well, we -- my -- my -- what I can tell the people of South Sudan is that we are optimistic, and we are hopeful that we will bring peace to the people of South Sudan. We are ready. We are -- we are trying level best to make sure that our people get their nearness and require peace so that they live in peace and harmony. Okay. Thank you so much, Honorable Minister, for talking to me right this morning. Thank you very much. Yes.