By Spy Uganda Correspondent
Juba: South Sudan holdout opposition groups making up the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) led by General Thomas Cirilo will not participate in the next round of talks scheduled for Saturday following the killing of a senior opposition commander in Uganda last month, according to an opposition official.
READ ALSO: S.Sudan Opposition Commander General Wani ‘Assassinated’ In Uganda
General Abraham Wani is a former deputy governor of the defunct Yei River state and a current member of the holdout opposition South Sudan National Movement for Change faction.
He defected to join the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by current South Sudan First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, before joining the South Sudan National Movement for Change led by Joseph Bokosoro at the time.
READ ALSO: South Sudan Opposition Parties Disagree On Ceasefire Mechanism By Rome
He however remained with the other SSNMC faction when the opposition group split during the negotiation of the revitalized peace agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.
He succumbed to wounds in Kampala on April 22 following an attack on April 20 by unidentified men.
READ ALSO: South Sudan Clashes Between Army, Civilians Leave 70 Dead
Speaking to journalists on Monday morning, SSOMA’s Secretary-General Emmanuel Ajawin said the holdout opposition alliance have informed the Rome mediation that it won’t take part in the scheduled round of talks following the killing of General Wani.
“Yes SSOMA-LC has written officially to SANT’EGIDIO expressing our disquiet regarding the politically motivated assassination of Gen. Abraham Wana,” Ajawin said.
“As a result SSOMA will not engage with the government’s delegation in the coming peace talks that were scheduled for the 8th April,” he added.
