A heavy burden of ensuing peace in Sudan and a greater block of Africa rests on South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in Juba, as Kenya’s William Ruto’s recent comment doesn’t sooth a livid heart.
On Wednesday, during the Pan-African Parliament Summit in South Africa, the Kenyan leader was tasked by a regional bloc, IGAD, together with other heads, to help in reconciling Sudan’s rival sides but he ended making an “outrageous” comment that falls short of peace and undeserving for reprint
A common adage among mediators is that “use the expected outcome as a means to reach your destination”, a piece of wisdom that drifts actors into embracing peace. Thus, if your ultimate goal is peace, then use peaceful means to get it, rather than divergent and destructive options which are likely to be misconstrued to be intimidation, diminishing and an attack on one’s integrity.
Hoping the two armed generals, key to peace in Sudan, do not come across Ruto’s comment as both parties, though with reservations, rest their confidence on President Kiir who holds the mantle of IGAD peace mediation team.
Recently, Sudanese President, Abdel Fattah al Burhan sent a delegation, under, Abdallah Haj Ali to brief president Salva Kiir on Jeddah talks in Saudi Arabia. Another delegation from Gen. Mohammad Hamandan Dagalo also followed under leadership of Youssef Izzat on Wednesday, asking South Sudan leader to engage the two warring parties for talks.
The Rapid Support Force (RSF), the paramilitary group and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), both have confidence and trust in IGAD and Salva Kiir as team leader for peace mediation that in any other African country. Kiir’s persistence on the two parties to end hostilities is another factor that sets him apart and befitting for the cause.
In his own words, Abdallah Haj Ali said while t in Juba that “we are sure that he will be able; he has the wisdom, experience and strong relations with our Country which can make difference. H.E president Kiir has categorically reiterated that this is an internal issue and he said that no Country should take advantage of this situation to try to do anything which might weaken Sudan. We appreciate highly these genuine feelings from President Salva Kiir as he was assigned by IGAD.”
Youssef Izzaat, a representative of Hemedti similarly stated that “South Sudan being one of our honest countries has participated a lot in ending the conflict in Sudan. Salva Kiir was one of the first people who pushed the two sides to have dialogue in Juba. We as RSF appreciate president Kiir and his cabinet for the efforts he used to invite intervention of other countries to push for the current ceasefire in Sudan. We respect president Kiir and understand his fairness in series of communications with us and our rivals.”
South Sudan and her President Salva Kiir therefore stand out, as a key stakeholder among leaders in IGAD state to usher in peace between the two warring parties in Sudan, while Juba plays a host.
The hard nut to crack is, meanwhile, President Kiir is in frantic pursuit of peace, army chief, Abdel Fattah al Burhan and his rival RSF commander, Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, are also busy morale boosting their forces, behind the scene.
In rare 23-second video published on Wednesday, Gen Burhan armed with a rifle and a pistol, clad in a military outfit, was seen shaking hands with cheering soldiers. Hemedti reportedly also made a similar appearance at an unknown location in Khartoum. He also recently denied in an audio message that he was killed.
Though the warring parties are hauling blames on each other, with one on superiority hill and name calling, as the other is “hurt of propaganda,” President Kiir, as a peace maker knows it better which music to play for all to dance
However, not only Sudan that needs President Kiir’s dose of peace injection, but Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Chad, Republic of Central Africa, Eritrea and South Sudan as well, are equally yarning for their share. South Sudan, as a central point, plays a focal role in either bringing peace or the opposite, in the region, with heavy burden resting on President Salva Kiir Mayardit.