Residents living in displaced camps under UN protection in the South Sudanese capital Juba on Friday demonstrated peacefully in support of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed by warring parties in Addis Ababa on Thursday evening.
Mathew Dhoal Michael, a displaced person sheltering inside the UN camp, told Radio Tamazuj they are demonstrating to support the ongoing efforts to make peace in South Sudan.
“People here are very happy about the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in Addis Ababa yesterday. Now we are demonstrating to show our support and happiness about peace. We have suffered a lot from the ongoing conflict,” he said.
“We are happy because the government and the opposition have accepted to stop fighting. We want to thank the international community for its position to bring about peace in our country,” he added.
Tek Char Nhial, a displaced youth leader inside the UN camp, said: “The conflict-displaced persons want peace to come to South Sudan.”
Nhial stressed the need for an inclusive peace process in the country, while calling on the international community to release rebel leader Riek Machar from his forced detention in South Africa.
Meanwhile, a displaced woman called on President Kiir and rebel leader to make peace in South Sudan. “We want South Sudanese to live in peace. Kiir and Machar should agree to bring about peace this time round,” she said.
Charles Riek Wal, chairman of the UN PoC3, said they are demonstrating to support the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in Ethiopia on Thursday.
“We also want Riek Machar to be released from house arrest in South African so that he can be part of the peace process,” he said.
On Thursday, the parties to the conflict in South Sudan signed the agreement on cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and humanitarian access in Addis Ababa, ending the first phase of the revitalization process.