S. Sudan president calls for cooperation with Machar

April 26, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir, has called on Riek Machar, first vice president and Wani Igga, vice president, to cooperate with him in the new government that will be formed soon.

Kiir who spoke during the swearing in ceremony of Machar on Tuesday in the Republican Palace [J1] in Juba said he would not expect an opposition in both the executive and legislative branches of his government when a transitional unity government is formed inclusive of opposition parties.

Machar is the head of the armed opposition party of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) and will have 10 ministers in the national cabinet and about 70 members of parliament in the national legislative assembly.

“In the Transitional Government of National Unity, we do not expect opposition neither in the Executive nor in the Parliament,” said President Kiir.

The new unity government, if formed soon, will start to implement the challenging peace agreement, which President Kiir signed with numerous reservations. On Tuesday, he reminded that the peace deal has many challenges and would not be easy to implement.

Analysts also say the new government will be likely confrontational and cooperation will not be easy given the opposing views to its interpretation and what to implement or not to implement. The opposition factions may push for its full implementation while the government is expected to prefer selective implementation.

The first test of cooperation when the government is formed is how to tackle the number of states the country should have. Government has unilaterally created 28 states and the opposition calls for the decision to be reversed, and backed by the East African regional bloc – IGAD – which mediated the peace agreement.

But president Kiir who addressed the armed opposition leader as ” my brother” during his speech asked for cooperation from his two deputies.

“I therefore call upon all of you – and especially the first vice president and the vice president – to cooperate with me so that we return our country to the peaceful coexistence,” he said.

“Now that Dr. Riek has come and has taken the oath of office as the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan we will immediately proceed to establish the Transitional Government of National Unity,” said President Kiir

The formation of the transitional government of national unity, according to president Kiir, shall restore the confidence of the people and the international partners in their abilities as the leaders of the country to implement the agreement without failure.

“Now we must move forward in order to address the challenges occasioned by the conflict. We acknowledge that there are unresolved issues related to the agreement, but I promise we will resolve those matters amicably. This is the only choice for us to relieve our people from the undeserved suffering associated with the armed conflict imposed upon them. I believe this is the only way to return South Sudan to the path of peace, stability and prosperity,” he pointed out.

He admitted there will be challenges during the course of implementation of the peace agreement, especially the unresolved issues related to the agreement, but will resolve them “amicably.”

He apologized, and on behalf of everyone else in the leadership, for taking part in the responsibility which created the war and the suffering of the people.

“I repeat our apologies to the people of South Sudan for the situation we the leaders have created,” he said.

He commended the people of South Sudan for being “patient” in the face of the suffering and “throughout the duration of this crisis” further warning that although the road to peace is still bumpy, he would try his best to restore peace.

“Though the road ahead will still continue to have challenges but we are committed and determined to move our country forward,” he added.

Earlier, the opposition leader, Machar, who spoke before President Kiir shortly after his taking oath of office, said he would cooperate with President Kiir and the third person in command, Igga.

Machar said the first priorities for the new government would be to tackle insecurity in the country and restore stability, revive the country’s economy and address the humanitarian situation in the young nation.

Described by analysts as the first most powerful vice president in the history of Africa who will split the cabinet with the President as he nominates 10 ministers; have lawmakers in national parliament; govern oil-producing states and command a separate co-national army and police, Machar called on the peace partners to implement the peace agreement in letter and spirit.

The two leaders are expected to form a transitional government by Friday this week.

(ST)