Rights body calls for new approach to S. Sudan peace
July 2, 2017 (JUBA) – The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) in South Sudan has urged the African Union and regional leaders to adopt a new approach aimed at finding solutions to the conflict in war-torn South Sudan.
“CPJ has welcomed East African leaders’ decision to convene a high-level revitalization forum to discuss concrete measures to restore a permanent ceasefire and achieve full peace implementation in South Sudan,” Tito told Sudan Tribune Sunday.
He also urged leaders to use their powers by making sure guns are silent in South Sudan and to end the bloodshed in the country.
According to Tito, the national dialogue initiative launched by President Salva Kiir could have repercussions if it excludes other opposition parties involved in South Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
“What the country needs now is to stop the ongoing war. It has displaced million internally, and two million fled the country to seek safety as refugees in the neighboring countries such as Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo],” stressed the CPJ coordinator.
“Any attempt to exclude any of the armed opposition [factions] will again take the country back to war and citizen to suffering and continuation of hunger, famine and worsening the humanitarian situation nationwide,” he added.
Over a million people have fled the world’s youngest nation since conflict erupted in late 2013 when Kiir sacked Riek Machar from the vice-presidency.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced in South Sudan’s worst ever violence since it seceded from neighbouring Sudan in 2011.
(ST)