S. Sudanese refugees concerned by delays in peace process

March 9, 2016 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese refugees living in northern Uganda are unhappy about delays in implementing the peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) leader, Riek Machar in August last year.

One such refugee is Gatdet Gatnyang, who is disturbed that no meaningful peace has been realised six months after the warring parties signed the agreement, while violence still persists in several parts of the world’s youngest nation.

He says President’s Kiir’s decision to create 28 new states does not help.

“It is an obstacle to the people of South Sudan because it is creating more problems especially the recent violence that occurred in Malakal at the United Nations IDPs [internally displaced peoples] camp. It is the outcome of the 28 [newly created] states,” Gatnyang told Sudan Tribune.

“I don’t think the creation of the 28 states is going to be peaceful,’’ he added.

Gatnyang says many South Sudanese do not identify with South Sudan as a nation, but rather with their tribes. He blames the South Sudanese government for the recent attacks at a UN camp in the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal.

Rebecca James, 18, blames both President Kiir and Machar for failing to discipline some errant soldiers still carrying out attacks across the country.

“They were given a lot of time to understand themselves and forgive each other. But they have done nothing more, they are still killing people up to these days and for me I don’t have any trust in them,’’ said Rebecca.

She urged the international community and the East African regional bloc (IGAD) to put pressure on South Sudanese leaders to stop the violence.

The desire to return home, many South Sudanese say, is a dream that can become a reality when peace and stability are fully restored in the country. They, however, doubt their leaders’ commitment to fully implement the compromise peace agreement.

(ST)