South Sudan “not to lose hope” over differences, President Kiir says

May 16, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir said Friday he has “moral obligation to end the six months” conflict and avoid “losing vision for the country” which only achieved independence from Sudan in July 2011.

Speaking at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba to mark 31 years since Sudan People’s Liberation Army and Movement (SPLA/M) was formed, President Kiir differences over leadership styles had always chararised the party and its armed wing since formation in 1983.

“There were many challenges from the efforts and resistance against the successive regimes in Khartoum and as well as our internal difference and crisis within the SPLM/SPLA. Many lives were lost as a result of the noble struggle but within the course of the struggle itself, unjustifiable loses occurred among South Sudanese because of a brother fighting another brother,” he said.

“We must not lose vision of our country,” said Kiir adding “I, as the president of South Sudan, have moral obligation to make sure that our people are saved.”

President Kiir said the agreement signed last week with rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar “has shown a political roadmap for the negotiations so that political settlements are found.”

Kiir, who doubles as the commander in chief of armed forces, dismissed suggestions made about interim government with rotating presidency by civil society as a solution to end the conflict a joke.

“And that political settlement will constitute the interim government for national unity. There are people who have already formed their interim governments, I don’t know where do they get those powers? Are they part of it?,” he said.

“But the interim government will prepare the grounds for the national political dialogue conference. That will take place in this country so that we discuss political issues of governance, any reform that we want to make, permanent constitution and many other important national issues that are seen to be necessary.”

Participants in this conference will not be only the government and the rebels. It is something open to South Sudan, he said.

Vice President James Wani describe any government without Kiir as “violation of constitution and not “workable.”

“You must elect your president. Nobody, even in developed democracies, will have a president decided outside the country and imposed on you,” he said referring to suggestion from western countries and mediators for formation of interim government without president Salva Kiir.

Chief of general staff Paul Malong Awan and defense Minister Kuol Manyang also spoke at the event. Thousands of people braced cloudy weather and gathered to listen to President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan descended to conflict in December after soldiers loyal to former vice president Riek Machar fought government troops in Juba. The confcit spread to Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states where it is now largely confined.

(ST)