S. Sudanese minister tells citizens to prepare for peace

December 25, 2014 (BOR) – South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei has hinted on the possibility of peacefully resolving the country’s conflict between the warring parties through dialogue.

The minister made these remarks Thursday as he addressed reporters after a church service in South Sudan’s Jonglei state capital, Bor.

“It is worth mentioning that yes, peace is not yet reached, but peace is just around the corner, we will reach peace soon”, he said.

Makuei was optimistic peace would be achieved in reality and called on the displaced population in the state to return home.

“I appeal to all the people, all the people of Jonglei state in the displaced camps, in the refugee camps and in the diaspora to come back Bor,” he told reporters.

Makuei reiterated government’s commitment to peace, but said the rebels’ intransigent demands on a power sharing deal was slowing talks mediated by regional leaders.

“The rebels have been intransigent, they have reneged from all we had agreed and they are too demanding”, said Makuei.

Last week, the two warring parties in South Sudan announced that some progress in negotiations, which resumed on 18 December in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Tens of thousands of people have died, two million displaced and millions more threatened by hunger and diseases as a result of the country’s ongoing violence.

The IGAD-mediated peace process is the best hope to try to arrest the violence and restore stability in the three-year old nation.

(ST).