By Yiep Joseph
First Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, has promised to ensure that South Sudan does not return to war.
“For us to be successful in these efforts, we must support the implementation of His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s vision, especially never taking our country back to war,” Bol stated.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel made the remark on Thursday after taking his oath at SPLM House in Juba as the First Deputy Chairperson.
VP Bol urged all South Sudanese to embrace the “no return to war” initiative, as promised by President Salva Kiir.
He added that to truly prevent a return to conflict, all citizens need to reconcile and embrace peace within the country.
Mr. Bol emphasized that without peace and security, there can be no development, stressing the need for everyone to commit to peace.
He urged the youth to cease violence and instead focus their energies on bringing unity among the people, which can lead to development.
Last month, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) rolled out “No Return to War” campaigns across the country in a bid to safeguard peaceful coexistence.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, expressed that it is time for leaders to translate the sentiment of “no return to war” into action.
Yakani also stated that citizens have a role to play in ceasing all forms of violence, while also calling on the leadership to respect their promise of not returning the country to war.
The activist’s statement came at a time when the 2018 peace agreement is facing challenges, including confrontations, despite several promises from leaders not to take the country back to war.
The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) had previously reaffirmed its commitment to the 2018 peace agreement, assuring the public that the regime would not lead the country back to war.
Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, who also serves as the government spokesperson, told journalists that President Salva Kiir is committed to ensuring that the country does not return to war.
“All these activities seem to be taking people back to war; we are not taking people back to war that is why we are talking. If we were taking people back to war, we would have worked in silence,” Makuei said.
“Our president (Salva Kiir) has committed himself several times, once and every time, that he will not take you back to war, so we are not taking anybody to war,” he added.
On the nation’s 10th Independence Day, President Salva Kiir vowed to prevent the country from slipping back into war, urging unity and solidarity among the people.
“I want to assure you that I will not return you back to war. Let’s work together to recover from this past decade and put the country back on the path to development in this new decade,” Salva Kiir said.