Rebels reject president’s peace deal

JUBA: South Sudan rebels rejected a peace offer by President Salva Kiir to return to a system of 10 states, paving the way for a unity government.

The rejection by rebel chief Riek Machar dashes hopes of breaking a deadlock and ending a six-year conflict that has left at least 380,000 people dead and millions in dire poverty.

Mr Kiir and Mr Machar — who lives in exile — are under increasing international pressure to resolve their differences by a Feb 22 deadline.

Mr Kiir on Saturday said the country would now be divided among the original 10 states — a key opposition demand — plus three “administrative areas” of Pibor, Ruweng and Abyei.

But rebel leader Riek Machar said yesterday he objected to the three administrative areas.

It “cannot be referred to as reverting to 10 states [and] as such cannot be accepted”, Mr Machar wrote in a statement.

“We therefore call upon President Kiir to reconsider this idea of creating administrative areas,” he added.

Mr Machar warned the three areas risked causing further problems, calling the issue a “Pandora’s box”.

The number of states is contentious because the borders will determine the divisions of power in the country.

When it gained independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan had 10 states, as set out in its constitution.

Mr Kiir increased that in 2015 to 28, then 32 — and has now reduced them back to 10, plus the three areas.

Of the three areas, the most contentious is thought to be oil-rich Ruweng in the north and South Sudan is one of the world’s most oil dependent nations.

Ruweng has been heavily fought in the civil war and is claimed by both the Dinka people of Mr Kiir and the Nuer of Mr Machar.