South Sudan’s first vice president Riek Machar has urged the people of South Sudan to forget the bitterness of the past and to tolerate each other to open a new page for peace in the country.
Addressing prayers on Sunday service at Emmanuel Jieng Parish, a Juba church attended by mostly Dinka citizens, Machar said peace, unity, and national reconciliation are core values to achieve development in the country.
He urged the people of South Sudan to help the transitional government restore full peace in South Sudan.
“A country which is not reconciling with itself cannot move forward,” he said. “If you have lost your brother or son or friend or your properties you most leave it behind, move forward and start a new life.”
Though there was some controversy over Machar attending a church service with predominately Dinka citizens, his participation in the Sunday service has attracted wide acceptance among South Sudanese population.
Machar returned to Juba last month after leading a rebellion for two and a half years. He was sworn in as the first vice president according to the peace agreement signed in August last year, but there are still unresolved issues between the two parties.