AU High Representative says dialogue initiative needs neutral leader

The African Union’s High Representative to South Sudan, Alpha Oumar Konare, said the National Dialogue called for by President Kiir needs to be led by a neutral leader to achieve its objectives in the country.

The African Union’s High Representative to South Sudan, Alpha Oumar Konare, said the National Dialogue called for by President Kiir needs to be led by a neutral leader to achieve its objectives in the country.

In December last year, President Kiir appointed more than 30 eminent persons as members to the National Dialogue and declared himself as patron to the dialogue process.  

Speaking during a meeting with several stakeholders in Yei town on Monday, Konare said main armed opposition groups should be involved in the dialogue initiative for the sake of peace in South Sudan.

“The National Dialogue should be led by independent personalities accepted by the people. Both the government and the opposition are parties to the crisis in the country,”said Konare.

“And also we cannot go into a meaningful national dialogue without including Dr. Riak Machar in the peace process. This carries no sense without the participation of Riak Machar, and in this case, we need the participation of all leaders to the crisis in the country,”he added.

Konare, who is former president of Mali, called on South Sudan’s warring parties to immediately implement ceasefire and stop negative war propaganda. He stressed that the leaders need to tell the truth to the people of South Sudan if they want to restore peace and stability in the country.

The AU official urged the people of South Sudan to use the declared National Dialogue as an opportunity to end the ongoing conflict.

“I know it is hard to forget what happened, but please open your hearts, forget the past, forgive and open a new page for the sake of peace and stability in your country,” he said.

For their part, representatives of faith-based groups, youth, women, elders and chiefs in Yei area, presented a petition to the visiting AU official calling for withdrawal of the government-supported militia group known as Mathiang Anyoor from the area.

The group pointed out that the withdrawal of the militia group would pave the way for the opening of roads, establishment of cantonment areas, cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access in the area.

Photo: Former Mali president Alpha Oumar Konare (left) with South Sudan Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Bashir Gbandi/Radio Tamazuj