Kalonzo Musyoka hailed for unity pact between Riek Machar and Salva Kiir

Wiper Democratic Party leader, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka arrived on Sunday from Juba, South Sudan. 

Kalonzo came back after successfully overseeing a mission that resulted in an agreement to form a united government between President Salva Kiir and ex-rebel Riek Machar. 

Those who took part in striking the peace deal relied so much on Kalonzo, in an attempt of bringing to an end 6 years civil war, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths. 

Having once served in Minister for Foreign Affairs position, Kalonzo was well conversant with the feud that faced Sudan. He, even in the past, took part in the dialogues for peace, which bred the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for 2005.

He was appointed as a special envoy to South Sudan Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in 2018 by Kenyan President Uhuru. 

Kalonzo was quite conversant with the two, Mr. Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, having worked closely with them during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2005 and the 2011 referendum that birthed the republic for South Sudan.

He got appointed at the right time owing to the relationship that he had already established between the two involved parties.

"I was aware of the issues defining the standoff, and I took up the work, determined to finally get the two parties to agree to end the conflict," stated Kalonzo. 

The skills used during the negotiations, in addition to hours dedicated to the dialogue are what finally led the two to speak in one term. 

His [Kalonzo's] task was an uphill one where he had to operate between Juba to meet with President Kiir, and Khartoum to meet exiled Machar. He, at the same time, was supposed to keep President Kenyatta and Ugandan President Museveni Yoweri, updated about the progress. 

At one time, according to Mr. Kalonzo, Machar was afraid of his safety, pushing Kalonzo and President Kiir to work effortlessly in assuring Machar of his safety. 

Mr. Kalonzo's appointment in 2018 was welcome to President Kiir, who was optimistic that it would help cultivate peace between Sudan and South Sudan. 

Kiir pointed out Mr. Kalonzo as, "a very diligent leader, who is well informed about South Sudan issues, and the problems the young country is facing. So he is the perfect diplomat for the peace process," in his past remarks. 

South Sudan Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mr. Mawien Makol, also acknowledged the appointment for Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka. He [Makol] noted Kalonzo as a person who better-understood efforts attempted in South Sudan peace and stability restoration. 

"The government welcomes his appointment and his addition to the effort that is being exerted here by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the region," read a past statement by Mr. Makol.