Kiir, Machar effort to restore peace in South Sudan encouraging, says Ruto

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Kenya is encouraged by the commitment of the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to engage in dialogue aimed at achieving peace and a better system of governance in the war torn South Sudan.

Deputy President William Ruto said Kenya will continue to cooperate with all partners and stakeholders to the South Sudan peace process.

Speaking Tuesday, during the 26th extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ruto who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta said the South Sudan leaders have committed themselves to dialogue under a framework, which facilitates a concerted quest for peace and stability in the country.

“A commitment to peace is a huge step of courage. The true soldier is afraid of war, but is also a devout seeker of peace. This is why I applaud my brothers President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar for the courage they have shown in pulling South Sudan from the brink of total anarchy,” said Ruto.

He expressed concern that the conflict in South Sudan has once again exposed the dire vulnerability of civilian populations during war.

The Deputy President noted that more than a million people have been displaced from their homes, while over ten thousand have been killed and many more wounded while others were fleeing to neighbouring countries for refuge.

“This humanitarian crisis is worsened by the threat of famine that millions in South Sudan face,” said Ruto.

He said it was saddening that since the conflict began in December 2013, many have been unable to grow food saying the rains have been erratic in the region recently and farmers are finding it difficult to raise a decent crop.

“How much more difficult it is for the people of South Sudan!” posed the Deputy President.

He urged the parties to expend more effort to see the agreement through, especially as regards the cessation of hostilities.

Ruto said leadership must work harder to relieve the people of South Sudan from more suffering, and to enable them resume normal life as soon as possible.

“If you have ceased for a month, then you can cease for a year; and if you can cease for a year, you can cease for centuries,” he said.

He said the Agreement calls for the cessation of all military actions aimed at either party or, indeed, any other actions that may undermine the peace process.

“Further, the Agreement is aimed at the protection of civilians and the opening up of humanitarian access throughout affected areas.

To reassure every stakeholder to this process, the Deputy President said the agreement also institutes strong Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms (MVM).

He said over the last six months, there were suspicions which rose to tensions escalating to conflict which finally broke out into violence and in the process inflicting unspeakable suffering to millions of people.

“Our hearts must go out in sympathy and commiseration with the people of South Sudan who have borne the brunt of instability and violence,” he said.

The Deputy President commended the parties to the conflict in South Sudan for the conclusion of the Peace Agreement on May 9, 2014.

“It is this understanding of the context of the situation in South Sudan and our empathy with the plight of its people, as well as the assurance we draw from our esteemed brothers’ decision to embark on a peace-building journey that gives us cause to hope today,” said Mr. Ruto.

“I gratefully note that the Agreement entails the immediate cessation of hostilities,” he said adding that it will create a proper environment for negotiation in respect of a transitional government of national unity through an all-inclusive IGAD process.

He praised the role played by Ethiopian government for working so tirelessly and selflessly in bringing the parties to the conflict to negotiations.

Present were Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Somalia Prime Minister Sheik Ahmed, 1st Vice President of Sudan Hassan Swalleh and chairperson of AU Nkosazana Zuma among others.