S. Sudan president signs media bills, calls for peace
September 9, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, signed the country’s media bills into law on Tuesday, urging journalists to play active roles in promoting peace and unity.
Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan operated without media laws.
“Everybody has a role to play in nation building, the government, faith based groups, the civil society and the media. Peace is a prerequisite requirement in all human and development activities to take place, including press freedom,” said Kiir.
“Everybody gets affected by lack of peace and stability. So it is important the media work together with the government and all other stakeholders to bring peace,” he added.
President Kiir also reiterated government’s commitment to peacefully resolve the ongoing political crisis.
“Our delegation is ready to return to Addis when talks resumed. We have never left the peace table because we made a commitment to our people that we are working with the region to bring lasting peace and we will bring it,” he said.
The minister in the office of the president, Awan Guol Riak, said the country’s entire leadership, the ruling party (SPLM) and everybody supported the peace process.
“The government under the leadership of our president, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit is for peace and we have never left the peace forum,” he said.
The minister blamed the country’s opposition forces for allegedly frustrating the peace process mediated by East Africa regional bloc (IGAD).
“The problem is with the rebels and as you can see for the first time the mediators and the international community have now realised those who do not want peace. They refused to sign the IGAD document,” said Riak.
(ST)