Page 16 - Nile Explorer Issue 006

Finally a New Peace Deal:

As Machar become VP in South Sudan

oth the Late President of Kenya, president in 2016, only to flee the transitional government formed lead
BDaniel Arap Moi and Dr. John country on foot months later amid to elections in three years’ time — the
Garang must be smiling in their graves fresh gunfire.Riek was appointed along first vote since independence. Kiir
following the news of the long awaited with three other Vice Presidents— and Machar started out as president
peace deal in South Sudan, when Saliva and agreement between the parties and deputy at independence from
Kiir formally appointed Riek Machar— is pending on the appointment of the Sudan in 2011. But two years later,
his arch rival— Vice President, this firth VP—under the deal, the Country Kiir sacked Machar and later accused
February. The deal which opened up will have five Vice Presidents. The vice him of attempting a coup against him,
a new chapter in South Sudan’s fragile presidents named by Kiir include Taban sparking a bloody war characterized by
emergence from civil war saw the rival Deng Gai, a former ally of Machar who ethnic conflict.
leaders form a coalition government switched to the government side and United Nations Secretary-General
that many observers pray will hold this last month was sanctioned by the U.S. António Guterres welcomed the
time around. Kiir declared “the official establishment of the Transitional
end of the war, a conflict that claimed Government of National Unity
the lives of nearly 400,000 people. (TGoNU) in South Sudan. In a
Opposition leader Riek Machar was statement issued by his spokesperson,
sworn in as his deputy, an arrangement the UN chief commended the parties
that twice collapsed. The late Kenyan for the “significant achievement in
President Daniel arap Moi, who was the implementation of the Revitalized
approached by Garang to mediate in Agreement on the Resolution of
the search for lasting solution towards Conflict in South Sudan”. “The
the achievement of lasting peace in the Secretary-General applauds
region, leading to the Comprehensive regional and international efforts
Peace Agreement of 2005—The former that contributed to this result”, the
president died Nairobi, 4 February over involvement in serious human statement continued. “This swearing-
2020, at the age of 95-- the southerners rights abuses. Another is Rebecca in action signifies the official end of
had been fighting for in the last 21 Garang, the widow of John Garang, the war and we can now declare a new
years. who led a long fight for independence dawn in South Sudan. Peace has come
South Sudan, the world’s youngest from Sudan. The others are James Wani to stay, not to be shaken ever again in
nation slid into civil war in 2013, two Igga and Husein Abdelbagi Akol. this nation”
years after gaining independence As the peace deal was announced, two Mr. Guterres also called on the TGoNU
from Sudan, following along drawn notable decisions were made: one was members to “fully adhere to the letter
independence war between the the “painful” decision on the politically and spirit of the Agreement”, so that
supporter of the two leaders. Several sensitive issue of the number of states, the people of South Sudan can finally
attempts at peace has, including a and Machar agreeing to have Kiir take realize the benefits of durable peace
deal that saw Machar return as vice responsibility for his security. The
16 | The Nile Explorer 006