President Kiir calls for unity among signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement
October 26, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has urged Sudanese political leaders who signed the 2020 peace agreement to prioritize the preservation of Sudan’s unity and sovereignty. He highlighted the challenges associated with rebuilding a fractured state.
Leaders representing the signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement concluded a two-day meeting aimed at finding ways to end the ongoing conflict and implement the peace accord they endorsed with the transitional government two years ago.
Following the meeting’s conclusion, the participants convened with President Kiir, who encouraged them to work together to foster unity among Sudanese political leaders. He further stressed the need to collaboratively seek a political solution to the ongoing crisis in their country.
“No country in the region is content with the current situation in Sudan, and it is crucial that you reunite and concentrate on common ground rather than divisions. The preservation of Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is a responsibility that no other nation can impose on you,” he said.
Sudanese Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council and leader of a SPLM-N faction stated that the Juba signatories groups are now divided some of them are aligned with the army while others support the paramilitary group.
The South Sudanese leader revealed that he had delegated the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to engage and coordinate efforts and strategies with counterparts in the region. This coordination is aimed at supporting a peaceful resolution to the Sudanese conflict through diplomatic dialogue.
“After my return from the United Nations General Assembly and a visit to Russia, I decided to entrust the responsibility of engaging and coordinating peace efforts in Sudan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The minister has been actively involved in this mission and has made significant progress. As talks are set to resume, the primary focus should be on ending hostilities as a priority, facilitating humanitarian organizations’ access, and enabling civilians to return to their homes without impediments,” Kiir emphasized.
South Sudan seeks to bring the IGAD leaders of the quartet group to demonstrate the necessary wisdom and maintain impartiality between the conflicting parties in Sudan. The Sudanese military-led government rejects any leading role for the Kenyan president who is accused of bias.
Kiir mentioned that the next phase would build upon the achievements of the ceasefire implementation and the provision of humanitarian assistance.
He highlighted that the meeting was convened to create a platform for dialogue among the political leaders who signed the 2020 Juba peace agreement and provide an opportunity for international stakeholders to engage with Sudanese leaders.
“In light of the ongoing conflict, I invited you to come here and engage in discussions among yourselves, focusing on the role each of you can play in restoring peace and stability in Sudan. This has been accomplished, and it should be further strengthened,” he added.
Sudanese political groups to convene in Juba
At the conclusion of their meeting on Wednesday, the participants issued a statement announcing that all Sudanese political and civil forces would convene in Juba to explore strategies for ending the conflict between the army and the RSF.
The statement expressed unanimous support among the parties for President Salva Kiir to host a meeting involving all Sudanese political and civil forces. This meeting aims to prepare for peace negotiations to help resolve the ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, the statement reiterated the signatories’ endorsement of the Jeddah process, designed to put an end to the hostilities between the two conflicting parties.
(ST)