South Sudan Dialogue Committee Announced by Kiir
President Salva Kiir issued a Republican Order on Friday night establishing a committee mandated to conduct dialogue with the alleged parties to the 2018 Agreement on issues related to elections. The committee is chaired by SPLM-IG Secretary General Dr Akol Paul Kordit.
Inclusivity Concerns Raised by SPLM-IO Leadership
Critics say the committee’s make-up is not inclusive, arguing that this limits its ability to address South Sudan’s political crisis. They also contend that the leadership of the parties linked to the Agreement is itself not broadly representative.
Calls for Inclusive Dialogue Since February 2025
Since February 2025, SPLM-IO under Dr Riek Machar, First Vice-President of the Republic, has repeatedly called for what it describes as an inclusive dialogue. In its framing, this is presented as the most viable route toward resolving the crisis.
International and Regional Actors Cited in Debate
The inclusive-dialogue call has been echoed, according to the same accounts, by the African Union, the United Nations, IGAD, the Troika and the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. SPLM-IO-aligned voices argue the initiative has been steered by SPLM-IG in Juba, despite SPLM-IG being a key signatory to the R-ARCSS.
Dispute Over Representation in Committee Leadership
SPLM-IO figures say the party has been excluded from the committee’s leadership. They interpret this as an effort by SPLM-IG and allied actors to politically isolate Dr Machar and SPLM-IO, rather than push for renewed engagement and full implementation of the R-ARCSS.
Prospects for Dialogue and Peace Process Implementation
From this perspective, the committee is expected to fall short because it does not meet what the critics call the basic threshold of inclusivity. They argue that meaningful dialogue requires the participation of Dr Machar and the SPLM-IO leadership, and that discussions among allies alone cannot deliver durable peace.
Statements on AU, IGAD, Troika and R-JEMC Roles
The same commentary urges AU, IGAD, the Troika and R-JEMC to treat inclusivity as central to any process tied to the political settlement. It also asserts that Stephen Par Kuol, described as a purported SPLM-IO interim leader, has not been a party member since April 9, 2025, following his personal decision.
Kiir–Machar Talks Framed as Key to National Stability
The argument presented is that a credible process should be led jointly by President Kiir and Dr Machar. It warns against repeating past errors associated with earlier rounds of crisis management and renegotiations linked to the First Agreement in Addis Ababa.
Detention of Dr Machar Mentioned as Political Flashpoint
The text also states that the continued detention of Dr Machar deepens the crisis, and calls for his release. It concludes that dialogue efforts that exclude Dr Machar and SPLM-IO are unlikely to produce results, summarised in the line: “In a nutshell, no dialogue without Dr Machar.”
Authorship and Editorial Note from Radio Tamazuj
The opinion is attributed to Dut Majokdit, identified as the former chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, Aweil, and a member of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau. Radio Tamazuj’s standard disclaimer notes that views expressed in opinion articles are those of the author, and responsibility for claims rests with the writer.