President William Ruto has urged South Sudan’s leaders, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, to engage in dialogue to promote peace amidst escalating tensions. Recent military actions and political instability threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. Ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to find sustainable solutions as South Sudan grapples with its longstanding internal conflicts.
In a recent appeal, President William Ruto of Kenya encouraged South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to engage in constructive dialogue to promote peace. During a conversation, President Ruto emphasized the importance of setting aside their differences as efforts intensify under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to stabilize South Sudan.
This call for dialogue follows increased tensions in South Sudan, marked by soldiers surrounding Vice President Machar’s residence and the detainment of his associates. Such incidents have raised alarms regarding the fragile peace agreement established in 2018, which initially renewed the partnership between Kiir and Machar.
President Ruto remarked that diplomatic initiatives are actively seeking sustainable solutions to the ongoing crisis. He noted that discussions are underway in the region to chart an appropriate way forward amidst rising concerns over South Sudan’s stability.
Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has grappled with enduring internal strife. A political discord between Kiir and Machar ignited a civil war in December 2013, claiming approximately 400,000 lives and displacing countless others, culminating in a peace agreement in 2018 that reinstated Machar as Vice President within a subsequent unity government.
However, the execution of the peace deal has encountered numerous obstacles, particularly in unifying armed forces and establishing local governance frameworks. Recent arrests, including that of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and military officials linked to Machar, have exacerbated tensions, coinciding with violent clashes in Nasir between national forces and a militia associated with Machar’s ethnic group.
Moreover, a recent reshuffling by President Kiir, resulting in the dismissal of significant officials, has caused additional unease regarding the peace agreement’s durability. Machar has insisted on the reinstatement of these officials, claiming their removal undermines the power-sharing arrangement that seeks to ensure stability in South Sudan.
In summary, President Ruto has advocated for dialogue between South Sudan’s leaders to mitigate rising tensions and reinforce peace in the region. Persistent conflicts since the country’s independence, coupled with recent hostilities and political changes, pose significant threats to the fragile peace process initiated in 2018. Efforts for stabilization under the IGAD framework remain crucial as South Sudan navigates these challenges.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
