South Sudan president says peace only option to end war
August 6, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir said Sunday that there was no other way of ending the ongoing conflict except following the peace process.
“You need to cooperate with the regional protection forces that have deployed. You know that their commanders are here. They are establishing their headquarters along Yei road. This is the place which has been given to them,” said Kiir.
You also know that the under- secretary General for peace operations was here for this purpose, deployment of the regional protection”, he added.
The international community, according to president Kiir, finally understood that his government was not against the deployment of the regional protection force.
“They (international community) say they are for peace and stability of South Sudan, which is our main objective and has what we have been telling them in many occasions and forums that there is no other way to end this conflict than helping us bring through dialogue, not supporting those who are continuing to advocate for war”, Kiir explained.
The president, according to a presidential aide who spoke to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, expressed optimism of peace and stability returning to the country soon.
“We are more than confident that we are going to stop this war so that our people return to their homes and resume normal lives. Those who want the war to continue are now clear and the people themselves have seen and know who they are and what they really want”, he said.
Kiir said there were people who advocate for peace when they mean war.
South Sudan’s civil war broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. Machar denied the accusation. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed and over two million people displaced.
A peace deal signed in August 2015, however, led to the formation of a coalition government but was again devastated by fresh violence that broke out in July last year.
(ST)