(Xinhua/TBi Africa.com) South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Saturday warned that delay in the formation of the new unity government could jeopardise the search for peace and stability in the world’s youngest nation.
In a televised speech, Kiir urged his longtime rival and opposition leader Riek Machar to return to the country in a bid to expedite the process of forming the revitalised coalition government as stipulated in the September 2018 peace deal.
“The whole agreement hinged on the formation of the unity government and any delays to this would be an act of bad faith in the eyes of our people.
“It would create a sense of weariness and uncertainty about the viability of the peace agreement and this is the last thing our country needs,’’ Kiir said.
He said that South Sudan is ready for a new spirit and the dawn of a new sense of national unity and there was no better way to express this than to establish a government that brings all parties together.
According to him, there is no honour in pursuing personal ambitions that go contrary to the popular demands of the citizens.
Kiir added that the warring parties should continue dialogue and make compromises that are acceptable to all.
South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013 and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.
The United Nations estimates that four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally.
In September 2018, South Sudan’s warring parties signed a final peace deal in Ethiopia after negotiations brokered by the Sudanese government and mandated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
