South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit today addressed a gathering of military and civilians on the occasion of SPLA Day, while promising not to take the country back to war, claiming the conflict since December had been forced on him by his rival Riek Machar.

He addressed the public at a rally on Friday at John Garang Mausoleum, marking thirty one years since the founding of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

The celebration was attended by members of the public, officers of the military, government officials nad some diplomats.

During his address, Kiir again reiterated a claim he had made last Sunday, saying he has ordered his forces at the front not to attack the rebels again.

“All has happened and we must come on top of this crisis and take responsibility. I have said several times as your president: I am not ready to take South Sudan back to war again, no matter what happens,” Kiir said.

Kiir also said that those people who killed innocent civilians in his name on 15 December and in the following days should be punished.

“For those who committed crimes on 15 December saying they are doing something good for the government and in my support, to kill other civilians in support of me is a liar, he is not supporting me and I will accept that,” he added.

Kiir rejected the reports saying that the war is an ethnic war between Dinka and Nuer, while also insisting that Riek Machar mobilizes his community to fight the Dinka. He pointed out that many Nuers are taking refuge in his own home state, Warrap.

President Kiir called displaced people who are in the UNMISS camps to come out and join their ‘brothers and sisters’ in their homes.

“I know there are telephone calls day and night from the side of rebels – Riek Machar and his group – calling on the IDPs not to come out, saying they will liberate them. These are lies, Riek cannot come to Juba by war, but only by negotiation,” he said.

President Kiir urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other non-governmental organizations to support the IDPs in the UNMISS camps. The situation in UNMISS is poor and it is not good for them to stay there, he said, saying they must go back home.