By Lodu William Odiya
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir has urged holdout groups to embrace dialogue, stressing the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and nation building.
In his speech during the ceremonial opening of the Revitalized Transitional National Legislature, The president expressed concern on the suffering endured by South Sudanese, asserting “the suffering of our people must not be prolonged by continued rejection of dialogue”.
Kiir also echoed his commitment to peace, inviting all factions that have remained outside the peace process.
“I extend my hand for peace once more. The doors of peace remain open. I urge all factions outside the peace process to join us on the path of reconciliation, unity, and nation-building.” Kiir declared.
The president’s call for collaboration was underlined by a vision of a unified national army, inviting opposition forces committed to peace to be welcomed and integrated into the national military.
“The opposition forces that are for peace must be welcomed and immediately integrated so that we have one national army” he said.
The President assured the country would never go back to war stating that “peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, healing, and unity”.
Kiir’s remarks noted it was a critical time for South Sudan, as the nation grapples with the consequences of prolonged conflict and instability.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to peaceful cooperation with all neighbours Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and beyond, as “we work together to advance trade, development, and the fight against terrorism”.
“Our relationship with Sudan remains essential. We are making steady progress on border issues and trade while continuing to host Sudanese: refugees fleeing from conflict” he added.
He appealed for dialogue aimed to foster a spirit of cooperation among various political factions, emphasizing that only through unity can the country hope to rebuild and move forward.
He further added that as the Parliament reconvened, the focus will be on addressing the pressing issues facing the nation and also the call for peace is to serve as a hopeful reminder of the potential for a brighter future through collaboration and understanding.
The international community and local observers will be closely monitoring the response from the holdout groups and the subsequent developments in the peace process.
Holdout groups and the government agreed to engage in political dialogue to seek reconciliation and stabilization by addressing the root causes of the conflict in South Sudan, but they have continued to disagree till date.
The holdout groups include, Real SPLM led by Pagan Amum; National Salvation front (NAS) of Thomas Cirilo; South Sudan United Front (SSUF/A) led by Paul Malong; and National Democratic Movement-Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) of Emmanuel Ajawin.
Kiir reaffirmed the integration of peaceful opposition forces and the strengthening of institutions to ensure accountability and electoral readiness.
Tumaini Initiative peace talks mediated by the Government of Kenya between the Transitional Government of South Sudan and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and other holdout opposition groups was halted.
Till now eyes has been set on the resumption date which is not yet clear from both the government and the holdout groups.