S. Sudan president unveils peace road map, calls for united leadership

April 20, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir unveiled a peace plan on Monday, saying he rejected violence and offered a comprehensive political process to end the ongoing civil war in the world’s youngest nation.

“I believe these crises are our own and we also own the solutions to them,” said Kiir during his 30-minute speech to members of the country’s parliament.

As he spoke, the audience, predominantly members of the governing party, repeatedly interrupted his speech with war songs as the president’s loyalists applauded him for declining to reward rebels with key positions.

“We do not reject dialogue but with whom should we hold dialogue because Riek [Machar] and his group have never respected even what they have signed,” said Kiir.

“Two, our plan for peace is the full commitment to ceasefire in order to create peaceful and amicable environment for negotiations to succeed. This will allow access of humanitarian assistance to our affected citizens in the country. But those commanders Riek claim to be under his controls have never respected the ceasefire and this is why ceasefire has never been effective,” he added.

In his peace plan, Kiir called for an immediate end to violence and negotiations with the armed opposition led by his former vice-president, the former political detainees and other stakeholders to form a government of national unity with him as the leader.

The president directed all the security organs to provide maximum security to the people and their properties. He also assured that strong measures will be put in place to improve the security situation in the country.

“We are now in such a disturbing situation because of the actions of some of our brothers who were not patient enough to wait for the time when the people would decide on who should the next leader,” said Kiir, adding, “Because of power, they are now not ready to accept peace”.

According to Kiir, South Sudan needs an active, confident and united leadership to address its current political and economic challenges.

“At this time, we need to stand together as the government to handle this crisis with one voice. Our priority number one is peace. We must propagate the messages of peace in all we do, whether in church, mosques in community or wherever we come together,” said Kiir.

PRAISE FOR PARLIAMENT

In his speech, president praised lawmakers for amending the constitution, granting him additional three years in office when his term ends in July this year.

“You took this noble decision to amend our supreme law few weeks ago, not for the fear of election, but you did it to give peace a chance in our country,” he told MPs.

Kiir said the relevant institutions of the government would continue working on processes for future elections, but did not elaborate further.

He said his new mandate will give him room to restore peace to the country.

“I have taken the lead and bold decision ever since war befell our country,” he said.

OPPOSITION DOUBTS PEACE PLAN

Minority leader Onyoti Adigo expressed doubt over Kiir’s new peace plan, saying nothing showed the latter’s to resolve the country’s ongoing conflict.

“There is nothing new the president he said in his speech. He (Kiir) did not give anything to show that he is serious about peace,” said Adigo.

“If he is serious about peace, he should make a two-day or three-day national dialogue with all the political parties in the country, with civil societies; with the religious leaders; with the youth and the women and then we look for the way forward to resolving this conflict,” he added.

(ST)