South Sudanese president vows to form all-inclusive cabinet
August 12, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan leader, Salva Kiir has vowed to establish an all-inclusive government in order to end the nearly eight months of conflict that could cause severe famine in the country.
“I always say if peace is to come today, I will be the happiest person because all those who are dying are South Sudanese, whether they are fighting on the side of Riek Machar or fighting in the course of defending the nation as part of the constitutional mandate and requirements”, the president reportedly told the UNSC members.
“It is the commitment of this government to end this war and we will try to do anything within our capabilities to implement the agreement once it is signed. Based on the demand of our people, we will to move to expeditiously form an all-inclusive government,” he added.
South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin and his cabinet affairs counterpart, Martin Elia Lomoru welcomed the 31-member delegation from the world body upon arrival at Juba airport.
Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, described the visit as an “emergency” and that the leadership in South Sudan needed to know just how urgent it was for the warring parties to form a transitional governing body in the run-up to the country’s elections.
“We will engage Riek Machar as well, probably tomorrow, and we will deliver a very tough message to him as well that the international community will not tolerate violations of the cessation of hostilities and that people who spoil the peace agreement, people who commit gross violations of human rights must be held accountable,” Samantha told reporters shortly after a meeting with the South Sudanese leader.
She added, “That is our message to all parties. We have delivered that message here; we will deliver it to Riek Machar”.
NO MILITARY SOLUTION
The US special envoy also said the Security Council was concerned over reports that arms were being brought in to the young nation, stressing that there was no military solution to the South Sudan conflict.
“The council has made it very clear that it is prepared to impose consequences if there continue to be spoilers, if there continue to be people carrying out gross violations of human rights, United states ambassador to the united nations,” said Samantha.
“We will not tolerate violation of the cessation of hostilities and people who spoils peace agreement. We have delivered that message here and we will deliver it to Riek Machar,” she stressed.
The UN delegation also held talks with other government officials, civil society activists and the internally displaced prior to their trip to Malakal, the Upper Nile state capital.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday accused both sides of failing to commit to the peace process, a day after they failed to meet the sixty days ultimatum set to form a transitional government.
(ST)