South Sudan’s Kiir warns against taking sides in Sudan’s conflict
July 4, 2023 (WAU) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Tuesday warned against taking sides in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, stressing the importance of jointly pushing for locally-initiated peace dialogues to restore law and order.
He was speaking to tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Wau stadium in Western Bahr el Ghazal State to celebrate his nomination as the country’s ruling party (SPLM) flag bearer for the general elections scheduled at the end of 2024.
“When they [foreign diplomats] come to me asking my opinion about the situation in Sudan and the role we are playing to help restore peace, I tell them not to take sides, but help them [warring parties] return on the right track, on the path of peace and stable because Sudan occupies a strategic position in the region and has a place in the international affairs. If you want peace and stability in Sudan, do not give weapons”, Kiir told senior members of the country’s ruling party.
Clashes since April 15 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed nearly 3,000 people. Another 2.2 million, according to the United Nations, have been forced from their homes inside the country with almost 645,000 fleeing across borders for safety.
The South Sudanese leader said neighbouring Sudan occupies a strategic position in the region, describing the country’s situation as “sad and unfortunate”
“I am talking to them [warring factions] to stop fighting because war is not good. It is costly. You all know how the war has affected us. If it was not because of war, the elections we want to organize now would have been organized a long time ago, and maybe now we would be organizing for other elections,” he explained.
Kiir recounted how years of civil wars in his nation destroyed roads and buildings.
Citing reports from various media and diplomatic security sources, the South Sudanese said the conflict has affected key institutions and utilities in Khartoum.
Meanwhile Kiir vowed that the delayed general election set for 2024 would go ahead as planned, offering himself as the ruling party’s presidential candidate.
“I am deeply touched by your endorsement and your continued support to our historic party gives me confidence that we will stand together as we go towards elections next year”, he told jubilant supporters clad in the red shirts and caps.
Kiir, a key figure in the country’s liberation struggle, underscored achievements made in some developmental projects, citing the Juba-Bahr el Ghazal highway.
He said the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) was doing everything possible to ensure that the 2024 general elections take place.
Kiir appealed to the governors of greater Bahr el Ghazal region to support people returning from Sudan as well as Sudanese coming to the country as refugees.
“Those coming from Sudan should be welcomed. They are our people. All of you, the governors and the county commissioners should enlighten communities to receive and treat them well and share whatever is there with them,” he stressed.
Sources, however, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that the president could cut short his visit and return to the capital, Juba, citing protests which broke out on Tuesday and security situation in Ruweng Administrative Area and Unity State.
(ST)