Page 17 - Nile Explorer Issue 006

From Left to right: Taban Deng Gai, Reik Machar, President Salva Kiir, James Wani Igga and Rebecca
Nyandeng de Mabior

and stability they deserve. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), South Sudan’s largest aid donor, grew
“The United Nations stands ready, acknowledged the courage of both as two deadlines were pushed back
in close coordination with the President SalvaKiir “for taking the following the 2018 peace agreement.
Inter-Governmental Authority on decisions that he needed to take” It was therefore a great sigh of relief—
Development and the African Union, and Mr. Machar “for coming back supporters of South Sudan and the
to assist the parties in implementing the after conflict” and joining to make citizens— when Kiir and Machar made
Agreement”, the statement concluded. the Unity Government possible.“I the key concessions announced in the
believe that after this signing and the deal. However,in a sign of caution, aid
On his part, the UN Special forming of a transitional government groups, analysts and diplomats warned
Representative David Shearer called it we will see floods of people returning of major challenges ahead. No heads
“a thrill” to witness the signing in of to their homes, picking up their lives” of state aside from Sudan’s leader, Gen.
Vice President RiekMachar and hailed and getting on with hope for what the Abdel-Fattah Burhan, attended the
it as “a new chapter in South Sudan’s future holds, he said. swearing-in.
history”. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Meanwhile observers are stressingthe
Noting that “often the courage in peace FilippoGrandi also welcomed that need for inclusivity in a country where
is greater than the courage in war”, the former political rivals will now be fighting has often occurred along ethnic
Mr. Shearer, who also heads the UN working together for lasting peace, lines and where several armed groups
saying that “the new government operate. Not all have signed on to the
revives hope for a peaceful future for peace deal, and both Kiir and Machar
the people of South Sudan, who are have said outstanding issues will be
suffering the consequences of this negotiated under the new government.
prolonged conflict”. It is hoped that the new government
“Millions of South Sudanese – will pacify the country to allow
including refugees and internally humanitarian community, which has
displaced people, deserve to see an end seen more than 100 workers killed
to their miseries.” since the civil war began to deliver
Intense international pressure had with ease, food and other badly needed
followed the most recent peace deal support as roughly half of South Sudan’s
in 2018. Last year April, for instance, population of 12 million remain
Pope Francis in a dramatic gesture hungry. An estimated 40,000 are in
kissed the feet of Kiir and Machar to famine conditions, according to a new
coax them into putting differences report,with a major locust outbreak
aside. Saturday’s ceremony began with in East Africa arriving in the country.
a presentation to them of that photo as Another more than 2 million people
a reminder. fled South Sudan during the civil war,
Husein Abdelbagi Akol Exasperation by the United States, and Kiir has urged them to come home.
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