January 9, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Sunday reiterated calls for an inclusive peace process in neighbouring Sudan, describing it as the best option for achieving peace and stability in the country.
He made the remarks while meeting a women group in the capital, Juba.
The South Sudanese leader acknowledged the important role women played during the nation’s liberation struggle and quest for independence.
“Women’s full and meaningful engagement in the ongoing peace implementation and the transition period is an investment in bringing sustainable peace to the country. Experiences have shown time and again that broad, meaningful, and effective inclusion of women increases the durability of peace accords,” he explained.
Kiir further appreciated his security affairs advisor, Tut Gatluak Manime for his role in strengthening the relationship between South Sudan and Sudan.
After tense negotiations and heightened international pressure, the parties in Sudan signed a framework agreement for a civilian-led administration.
“A formal agreement is yet to be signed. The parties are still consulting, with some continuing to feel the Juba Peace agreement should be reviewed and revised to reflect the aspirations of other regions”, stressed Kiir.
He said that dialogue, not war was the solution to all political differences.
In August 2019, the Transitional Military Council (TMC), which took power after Bashir’s downfall, and the civilian Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), representing the protesters, signed a power-sharing deal. The agreement led to the formation of a hybrid civilian-military government tasked with revitalizing the ailing economy and steering the country to elections. The signatories also agreed to talks with insurgents to end decades of conflict in areas neglected by Khartoum.
The talks took place in Juba, leading to an accord signed in October 2020.
The Juba Peace Agreement seeks to, among others, redress the historical imbalance between the country’s center and periphery by devolving power and wealth away from Khartoum. Representatives of armed groups from Darfur and the Two Areas, South Kordofan and Blue Nile were appointed to the cabinet and Sovereign Council to oversee the transition.
Analysts are, however, keen to say the future interim government should negotiate with holdout rebels to bring them into the transition while suggesting international partners to press for security sector reform that decreases the size and political dominance of a newly expanded military.
(ST)
