National, News

President Kiir positive on restoring total peace

By William Madouk

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit expresses optimism in restoring stability across the country despites challenges.

‘I would like to inform you that my intention to restore stability in this country remains unshaken,” said President Kiir said in his message on the SPLA Day, annually celebrated on 16th May.

However, the president did not elucidate on how his government would handle the widespread insecurity across the country.

The head-of-state also promised to implement the remaining provisions of peace deal through the agreed roadmap.

“We will continue to implement the revitalized peace agreement under the roadmap 2022 through the implementation of the remaining provisions,” he added.

President stated that despite the challenges, they were committed to ensure holding a creditable, fair and transparent election at the end of the transitional period.

“Despite challenges that may arise in this noble task, we are determined to give you, the citizens the right to choose your leaders through credible, transparent and fair elections in 2024,” he noted.

He reiterated that there would be no more extension after the end of the current transitional period.

President Kiir urged ‘doubting Thomases’ to remain peaceful till upcoming period, telling them off that “no relapsing back to war”.

“Those doubting our ability to remain peaceful during this upcoming period, I would like to tell them that there will be no return to war under my watch,” he stressed.

The president also called on citizens to embraces co-existence and support parties to peace agreement.

“With this work in progress, I am calling upon you, the citizens to support us the parties to the agreement by embracing peaceful co-existence among yourselves,” he continued.

President Kiir further appealed to the general public to say ‘no’ to violence and pick peaceful means to address their grievances.

During his recent tour to Bahr El Ghazal, Mr. Kiir urged all political parties to pick their suitable aspirants for the presidential race in preparation for the planned 2024 general elections.

He further asked thousands of citizens to prepare for elections at the end of transitional period, in what seems to be ‘early campaign’.  Again, he warned political parties that might not make it during elections, to accept defeat and cause no more havoc.

Dark cloud over the possibility of conducting general elections has been documented as some key provisions in the roadmap remains pending as the clock ticks down.

Activists and analysts weigh that the prospects and atmosphere of conducting free and fair elections are still unlikely.

In August 2022, parties to the agreement announced the extension of the transitional government’s life span in office for another two years, with general elections to be held in December 2024.

The existing government of national unity that was formed under a 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

In February this year, peace monitoring body R-JMEC hinted that making of the permanent constitution was critical for guiding conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period, once the Constitution-making Process Bill 2022 becomes law.

On set of the unity government, legitimizes all the institutional essentials in the making of the new constitution.

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