Kiir, Kenyan envoy discuss revitalized peace deal implementation

December 9, 2021 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Kenya’s special envoy for South Sudan, Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday discussed the slow implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

Kiir, the state-owned television (SSBC) reported, vowed to work with the regional leaders to ensure full implementation of the agreement.

For his part, the Kenyan special envoy commended the South Sudanese leader for the frank discussions they had at the meeting.

He said a similar meeting would be held with South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar and the other deputies, ministers and other categories and mechanisms as stipulated in the 2018 peace accord.

“I am encouraged by the progress made by the parties and the assurances of willingness on the part of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to work together the leaders in the region to ensure remaining issues are resolved within the shortest time possible”, stressed Musyoka.

The Kenyan official said there was a lot to reap from implementing the 2018 peace agreement and holding talks with the holdout opposition groups for lasting peace and stability in the country.

He urged South Sudanese leaders to hasten the implementation of the remaining aspects of the peace agreement, specifically citing delays in security sector reforms and the graduation of unified forces.

Under the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement, South Sudan is supposed to graduate 83,000 unified forces drawn from the various parties to take charge of security during the ongoing transitional period.

For his part, South Sudan’s deputy Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Deng Dau Malek said the government and the president are willing to resume talks with hold out opposition groups.

He cited the president’s recent decision to allow the resumption of peace talks, mediated by the Sant’Egidio community, with the hold-out groups.

(ST)