The Chairman of the SPM IO party, Dr. Riek Machar, wrote a letter requesting intervention from IGAD to mandate him with President Kirr to sweep the ministry. However, this week, President Kirr appointed General Chol Thon as Minister of Defense despite Machar’s continuous rejection. During the swearing-in ceremony, the President stated that they were no longer interested in talks.

The efforts to resolve the deadlock between the two leaders have been limited as they have failed to understand each other and address their political grievances over the pending areas. Despite Machar’s insistence on being given back his position, as stated in Article 1, 13, 1 of the Agreement, which grants each party the power to select or remove its representatives in the Council of Ministers by informing the President.

There is a call for the regional body to bring the two principals together on the roundtable to resolve their political differences and find a way forward to build a consensus, ease tensions, and prevent peace from collapsing.