UN chief urges S. Sudan’s Kiir, Machar to prevent violence
April 17, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has commended South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s decision to welcome the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar back to the capital, Juba and swear him in as the country’s First Vice President designate on 18 April.
A UN statement extended to Sudan Tribune Sunday, said Ki-moon welcomed Machar’s decision to return to Juba, urging him to work with Kiir to prevent any further violence.
“The Secretary-General underscored the need to quickly form the Transitional Government of National Unity, as a crucial next step in the peace process,” said the statement.
He urged both leaders to continue working together with the Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, former president Mogae, and the African Union High Representative for South Sudan, Alpha Oumar Konare, towards the implementation of the peace accord.
Machar, who was previously appointed vice president of South Sudan following its independence from Sudan in 2011, fled the country after being accused by President Kiir of allegedly plotting a coup in mid-December 2013.
The accusation led to the outbreak of a civil war between Kiir’s forces and rebels loyal to Machar that has seen tens of thousands of people killed and over two million displaced.
The two South Sudanese warring parties, however, signed a peace agreement in August 2015 and Kiir re-appointed Machar as his deputy in February. The two sides have also agreed to share ministerial positions in a transitional national unity government.
(ST)