By Alan Clement
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has reiterated the government’s commitment toward holding a ceasefire across the country.
Despite security challenges in some parts of the country, the head of state vowed to ensure that guns are silent.
In his nation address marking the 14th independence anniversary of the conflict-affected South Sudan, President Kiir reaffirmed commitment to full implementation of the ceasefire.
“I keep my promise to you; my government is committed to a full ceasefire across the country. No gun shall silence the voice of peace,” Kiir pledged.
President Kiir acknowledged insecurity in various parts of the country and pledged the full support of the government to ensuring the safety of citizens.
“We will continue to secure the communities and protect every citizen regardless of where they live. Our people deserve to sleep without fear,” he said.
Despite reports of peace stagnation, the head of state expressed commitment to the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
“A revitalized peace agreement is our bridge to the future. We will implement it; we will unify our forces,” he added.
The President vowed never to take the country back despite challenges to the peace implementation.
After the detention of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the leader of the Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition Army (SPLM/A-IO), there were several reports of armed confrontations.
The Sudan People Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan Defense Forces have been engaged in armed confrontation in some parts of the country to date, according to ceasefire monitors.
A political analyst, Boboya James, in reviewing the president’s emphasis on ceasefire, applauded the remark, urging the head of state to translate word to action.
According to the analyst, as commitment to peace begins with reconciliation, there is a need for release of incarcerated opposition political actors.
“When you talk about peace and reconciliation, that for me is very elusive in a way, because peace and reconciliation mean the government under his (Kiir’s) leadership is supposed to reconcile with the people he has not forgiven,” Boboya said.
“These people are political actors, such as SPLM-IO, so he would have used his speech to reach out to Riek Machar and other political opponents who are in jail right now to reconcile and forgive them,” he added.
Boboya explained that it is through the power of reconciliation and forgiveness that true peace can emerge.
“Until there is genuine reconciliation and forgiveness of opponents, there will never be lasting peace in South Sudan,” he expressed.
Boboya also noted that unification of the forces requires implementation of the peace agreement. He said, this means, allowing Dr. Riek Machar, other actors and opening doors for dialogue.
“Because the peace agreement calls for collegial, collaborative, and consensus building when it comes to decision-making of the presidency, and one party cannot make decisions on the other,” he stressed.
In a separate analysis, Silvia Aya Sarafino, Assistant Director of One Citizen Network for Democracy (OCND), called upon the signatories to the Revitalized Agreement to adhere to the protocol. She urged the Parties to engage in dialogue and consistent ways of respecting the cessation of hostilities to avoid continued violation of the agreement.