Keep peace in the world at all costs

 

 

Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, law and order. Theorists, such as Albert Einstein, see it as a tool or means to end war or conflict whose incentives include harmony and stability of a people.

South Sudan last week made yet another brazen attempt at stabilising the country through a coalition government after years of a brutal civil war.

President Salva Kiir witnessed the swearing-in of rival Riek Machar as his first deputy, narrowly meeting a twice delayed deadline to form a transitional coalition government that was agreed upon two years ago.

Three other vice presidents were also sworn-in, two from Kiir’s side and one from among Machar’s topmost allies. A fifth from another opposition group is expected to be unveiled soon. In the new arrangement, the transitional government is to lead South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, to elections in another three years.

And yesterday, there was another breakthrough in the search for peace in Kabul, Afghanistan, some 4,445km from Juba. The US agreed to negotiate with the Taliban in what security experts say could be a relief to the long-suffering parties. 

We welcome these two developments and urge those involved to exercise honesty with a clear disposition in the search for elusive peace.

There’s no way world peace can be achieved when there is turmoil in individual countries. The South Sudanese and the Afghans must spare no effort in restoring peace.