S. Sudan’s Kiir vows to expedite peace implementation
July 28, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir on Thursday met his two deputies in the coalition government, during which he expressed willingness to expedite implementation of the peace deal.
“The President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, today met with his two deputies, to discuss some of the issues on peace implementation and some current developments in the country. The three leaders have agreed to undertake measures to expedite the implementation process of the peace agreement so that the country can move forward with reconciliation, healing and forgiveness”, partly reads the statement Sudan Tribune obtained.
“The president has made it clear that he will cooperate with the new first vice president and the vice president to ensure that priority would be given to resolving key problems that have caused strong protests by the people. A new spirit is emerging from the presidency, the spirit of cooperation, consensus and willingness to implement the agreement so that the country can move forward,” it added.
President Kiir on Monday appointed the armed opposition’s former chief mediator, Taban Deng Gai as the country’s First Vice-President replacing Riek Machar, who left the capital following recent clashes.
More than 270 soldiers, officials said, died when forces loyal to Kiir clashed with pro-Machar soldiers before a ceasefire was declared.
According to the statement from the presidency, a number of things have been agreed to be resolved, including accepting that the deputy speaker’s position be nominated by the armed opposition.
“These nominations will speed-up the establishment of a new parliament incorporating members of the SPLM/A-IO, and enabling the parliament to function as normal, enacting laws and aiding in the establishment of institutions prescribed by the Compromise Peace Agreement 2015, including approving the new Constitution of the Republic, leading to the next census and elections”, it stressed.
Officials at the presidency told Sudan Tribune that many of the details of the peace proposal were already known, including, among others, commitment to observing a permanent ceasefire, implementing the security arrangement by disbanding and integrating members of armed opposition into different institutions of government under one command and protecting the civilians.
Observers, however, say it is unclear how the leaders intend to implement the deal and how members of armed opposition and the international community would react, if the accord is compromised.
It is also unclear what exactly the leaders have agreed to do as the first thing in the implementation of the peace agreement and how long they have collectively intended to achieve their objectives.
(ST)