23 January 2015 - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the Agreement on the Reunification of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed on 21 January by the South Sudanese parties in Arusha, Tanzania.

“He calls for its immediate implementation, particularly the recommitment of President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement, and encourages the signatories to resolve the leadership issues of the SPLM,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York.

The UN chief reminded the parties that “time is running out” and urged them to use the opportunity of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit, set for later this year, to reach a final agreement on the end to the conflict, including a power-sharing formula and measures to address its root causes and ensure accountability.

The 12-page agreement was signed by President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and representatives of the former political detainees in Arusha.

The document, drafted during intra-party talks mediated by Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, discussed structural changes to be made to reunify the party.

Speaking to Radio Miraya after returning from Arusha, the spokesperson of the SPLM government delegation Akol Paul said the root causes of the disagreement will be addressed.

“This agreement of the reunification of the SPLM has got number of objectives. The main objective is to reunify all the groups of the SPLM back into one movement and immediately take reforms in the party that will lead into reforms in the country,” he said. “We have agreed on political issues, organizational issues and leadership issues. All the contentious issues in the SPLM constitution will be reviewed in the spirit of reconciliation and reunification.”

In another interview with Radio Miraya, a leading South Sudanese political analyst said the SPLM’s next step should be to apologize to the people and ensure full accountability for party members accused of committing crimes.

“The crisis we are facing was caused by all members of the SPLM,” said Luka Biong, Director of Centre for Peace and Development Studies at the University of Juba. "SPLM should commit itself also to the issues of governance within itself, particularly the issue of accountability and justice because these were committed by some members of the SPLM and these people should be brought to book."