South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reiterated calls for opposition chief, Riek Machar to urgently return to Juba ahead of the formation of an interim government in May.
In an Easter message delivered in the capital, Juba Saturday, Kiir said the presence of opposition leaders will expedite the peace process.
“Nothing could have been a great gift to our people this Easter than for Dr. Riek Machar and all opposition leaders to be in Juba so that we can celebrate the triumph of our Lord together and reassure our people of our commitments to the agreement we have signed and to total peace to our country,” said Kiir.
He added, “Even now, it’s not too late, I am inviting Dr. Riek Machar to urgently return to Juba so that we can work together to expedite the processes of the formation of the revitalized transitional government of national unity.”
In September last year, South Sudan’s arch-foes signed a revitalized peace agreement to end the country’s civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.
The peace accord provides for a new transitional government in May 2019 before elections three years later.
The armed opposition leader was recently quoted saying the parties would not be able to meet the deadline to form a unity government because key requirements for the peace deal have not yet been met.
As such, Machar reportedly suggested that the pre-transitional period be extended for additional six months to enable its full implementation.
Kiir, however, said it was not late for the opposition leaders to return to Juba.
Pope Francis recently invited President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition chief, Riek Machar for a retreat at the Vatican. Also present were first vice president, Taban Deng Gai and Rebecca Garang, widow of the ruling party (SPLM) founder, John Garang.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of the South Sudanese leader, in an emotional appeal for them to end the conflict.
Kiir, in his Easter message, said he was shocked, deeply touched, and even trembled when Pope Francis knelt down and kissed his feet.
The South Sudanese leader described his experience at the Vatican as “historical”, showing how whole world cared about South Sudan.
“Not only did I feel a sense of reverence for his holiness, I also strongly feel what happened in Vatican will have an indelible impact on the future of peace and stability in our beloved nation,” he said.
The pope’s action, he stressed, was the greatest expression of humility and true manifestation of how leaders should lead people.
“It was unprecedented for the pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator to get together to meditate and pray for our country,” he said.
The two-day retreat at the Vatican came a month before the end of the pre-transition period of the revitalized peace deal.
On 12 May, South Sudan parties are expected to form a transitional government of national unity. However, the September 2018 peace accord has been met with missed deadlines due to lack of funds.