PLP calls on S. Sudanese to end support for war-mongering politicians
March 12, 2015 (WAU) – South Sudan’s recently established opposition People Liberal Party (PLP) has urged the public to work towards restoring peace in the country, with interim president Peter Mayen Majongdit calling on communities to reconcile any differences.
He said the current conflict, which erupted in mid-December 2013 had nothing to do with the general population of South Sudan.
“Our People are peace loving individuals,” he said. “The conflict is political in nature and triggered by tribalism,” he added.
Majongdit made the comments during a public address to a group of communities in the Jebel residential area in the capital, Juba.
He urged youths and displaced elders residing at UN camps to reject politicians who were continuing to act out of their own self interest at the expense of their own people.
He also urged communities to embrace peace and reconciliation efforts driven by people rather than political power brokers.
“We shall not wait for peace and reconciliation by the power wrestlers, but we shall make ours here as people of one nation and put them to shame,” he said, adding that political parties that care less about their own citizens should be rejected.
“Political Parties must prioritise the needs of the citizens to be considered historic parties,” Majongdit said, adding that PLP was committed to bringing lasting reconciliation to the country.
Since its formation in recent months, PLP has been touting a new vision and political solution for the young nation.
South Sudan erupted in violence following a political dispute within the ruling party (SPLM) led by president Salva Kiir.
The fighting has pitted forces loyal to the government against those aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar, who was sacked by Kiir and now heads the country’s rebel faction.
Ongoing negotiations and the signing of several agreements has failed to bring a lasting settlement to the crisis, with peace talks collapsing earlier this month.
(ST)