South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit today said that his ten years in power have been the worst period that he has ever 'exercised', saying preferred the time of war against the Sudanese government.

His remarks before a session of the parliament today in Juba were taken as a joke, eliciting laughter from the crowd of assembled lawmakers and officials.

Kiir was responding to the master of ceremonies who had introduced him as the best and wisest leader who helped lead the SPLM/A over its 21 year war with the Sudanese government from 1983-2005.

“I wanted to tell him that the 21 years I spent fighting in the bushes of South Sudan are preferable than the last ten years I spent,” said Kiir at the opening of his speech. “Yes, the ten years since signing of the peace agreement, the CPA, up to this moment are the worst period that I have ever exercised, and you people know it.”

Later in his speech, Kiir spoke about the poor economic situation in the country and the steps that the government will take to help change the situation. “Now I have signed the peace agreement, but the implementation of this peace comes with challenges and high cost,” he said.

More coverage to follow.