Ki moon welcomes Machar’s return, swearing-in as VP
April 26, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the return to the South Sudan capital, Juba of of the rebel leader, Riek Machar and his swearing in as the country’s first vice-president, describing it a “new phase” in the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement.
“He commends the efforts of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson, former President Festus Mogae, and the African Union (AU) High Representative, former President Alpha Oumar Konaré,” partly reads the statement.
Ki moon called on the Security Council to work closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to mobilise the required support for the peace process.
Analysts say Machar’s return marks a significant step towards bringing stability to the country, which only gained independence in 2011 after breaking away from Sudan.
Tens of thousands of people have reportedly been killed and more than two million displaced when a political dispute erupted into violent conflict in mid-December 2013.
(ST)