S. Sudan’s Kiir signs Yau Yau peace accord into law
July 27, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir on Friday signed into law a peace accord recognising the formation of the Greater Pibor administrative area in the country’s largest state of Jonglei.
Early this month, president Kiir promised to sign into law the peace agreement with Jonglei-based rebel leader, David Yau Yau, after his South Sudan Democratic Front Cobra Faction inked a final peace deal with government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yau Yau rebelled in 2010 after losing elections to represent Pibor county in Jonglei state’s legislative assembly, accusing the ruling SPLM party of rigging votes. In 2011, however, he accepted a presidential amnesty, but rebelled again the following year.
The latest agreement gives the Greater Pibor administrative area special status under the office of the president. Thus by accepting formation of the administrative area, Kiir now shoulders the responsibility of appointing an administrator for the new unit to be funded by the presidency.
President Kiir vowed to ensure the agreement is fully implemented, including the nominating an administrator and availing funds for the construction of a school, hospitals and a road in Pibor area.
“As South Sudanese we have experiences of always solving our own internal crises by ourselves. This was demonstrated by my brother David Yau Yau a few months ago when he reached an agreement with us, the government,” Kiir said during the 9 July independence celebrations.
“No foreigner came to mediate amongst us and David Yau Yau. We knew our problems were our own and if we can solve them, it is better we resolve them before the problem finishes us up. This is one good example,” he added.
The Murle who inhabit Pibor county celebrated the president’s decree soon after its official announcement on Saturday evening.
(ST)