South Sudan’s Kiir urges peace as SPLM-IO warns of return to war

Kiir. Photo: Reuters/File

Juba, September 5, 2019 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, said on Thursday that people must embrace peace and suggest that South Sudanese should only talk about the message of peace, not war.

The message comes as the deputy chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Henry Odwar warned that the young nation risks going back to war if the government refuses to fund the September 2018 peace agreement.

Henry explains that the government is intentionally refusing to fund the deal while planning to build a $700 million dollars highway. He questions whether a highway is better than peace.

On his part, while speaking at an event organized for Veterans, Kiir calls on the young people to unite and fight against tribalism. The President also asserts that when big elephants fight, do not join any of them, warning the big elephants will always resolve their differences and everyone else would be left in dilemma. It is not clear whether Kiir was comparing himself and his rival Machar to elephants.

The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) was told by an IGAD source on August 23 that East African regional leaders ordered Salva Kiir to release peace funds ($93.5 million dollars) contributed for the implementation of the peace. The SSNA was also told that President Kiir went to Uganda on August 24 barely a day after IGAD ordered him to release the money.

Some prominent voices within South Sudanese communities have already accused Kiir and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of deliberately preventing the release of peace funds to impede peace implementation. Museveni publicly supports Kiir in his war against South Sudanese rebels.

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14 Comments. Leave new

  • I appalled by the statement that abhors tribalism that came from the same President who had endorsed tribalism by dividing the country into tribal states. I also appalled by unbalanced language that compares human lives with grass that will suffer under elephants’ legs when they fight. Elephants fight themselves physically, but the President and other party use other innocent young people when they fight. People adjust to language of peace if really they mean it.

    Reply
  • Dr Anyieth Kuol
    September 5, 2019 6:12 pm

    Yep that’s the really very very nice
    For those two dilemma nor Devil’s people museveni with kiir Couspin luel thiink? But the world of humans rights
    Doesn’t need to solving the cases of those it’s the question to humans rights plize! The must to be coach immediately
    Plize ‘ and that’s it no thank by Dr Ak

    Reply
    • what have you contributed, really; a Dr. or quack? I wonder if this was the reason for seeking succession from Sudan!

      Reply
  • We have individuals who I call them meddlers.
    They don’t wish SS well. These individuals after money.
    We know them.
    If President Kiir is really serious about peace in this country.
    He must dissociate himself from these individuals.

    Reply
    • What President Kir had referred to as two elephants is not about him and his oppositions, but about the political failure of our national truth reconciliation right from our first chapter; Therefore, as one of a concern youth, I concurred with our President call for strong unity of purpose among us .

      Reply
  • Actually some people benefiting from the war like mr. President. But everything has an end wether u like or not nonsense.

    Reply
  • Mr:Chudier Gai Chuol Dhol.
    September 5, 2019 10:58 pm

    Kindly when you make surgery wrongly the person will either going to die or could not get recovery quickly.

    Reply
  • I think President Kirr is doing everything in his power to make sure peace return. I don’t think he is looking forward to war.

    Reply
    • and these guys enjoying here here in Kenya arrogantly and abrasively; can you ask them to go back help sort out the mess.

      Reply
  • Deng Nhial Garang
    September 6, 2019 11:22 am

    Billions of dollars spent on war lords since 2005 but rebellion never end in south Sudan, 700 million dollars for the road is a good investment that will improve lives of citizens . Henry Odwor and his rebels groups are wrong to criticize the government for investing on roads

    Reply
  • Adwor you have done your part by hitting the nail on the head, for how long will this monkey games continue.

    Reply
  • You can’t build the nation on basis of tribalism . It’s important all folks in south Sudan to send a clarion call and behave with the values of tolerance and diversity. folks don’t let those elite military politicians divide you because for them their accumulated a lot of wealthy and their families live overseas in the ecstasy and opulence life.

    Reply
    • they are good students of their Kenyan neighbors and please don’t blame them. my only problem is the arrogance and abrasiveness of those many leaving here.

      Reply
  • Mr. President kiir isn’t have divides us we as South Sudanese not paying attention to the wrong direction if I were you guys saying Mr. President kiir is wrongly that is accuses .Mr. President is saying people of South Sudan stopping about tribal leaders are not believed our fighters ourselves as civilians that is Mr. President kiir said he want us to stop fighting to one another and build peace for our country develop our country for better future generations to come truly love one another some people have been suffering from our fighting each other nothing else we can gained

    Reply

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