South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has warned opposition groups against trying to recruit new soldiers, saying the move violates the revitalised peace deal.
In September last year, Kiir and several opposition leaders, including main opposition leader Riek Machar, signed a power-sharing deal promising an end to the civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Kiir, who is currently on a tour of the greater Bahr al Ghazal region, held a public rally in the town of Wau on Tuesday.
Addressing a crowd of citizens, Kiir said opposition groups were recruiting troops in many parts of South Sudan. “The opposition groups are trying to recruit soldiers to increase the number of their forces and take control of new territories. These two things violate the agreement,” he said.
“Don’t accept the recruitment exercise. The opposition should understand that the recruitment of forces and occupation of new areas violate the peace agreement and could take people back to war,” he warned.
According to reports, all sides are adding new forces to their ranks before a new transitional government is formed.
Kiir calls for forgiveness
Kiir has called for a spirit of forgiveness among the people of Bahr al Ghazal region. “I want to tell you that Wau is our headquarters although we have many states,” he said.
“I want you to forget what happened in the past and live in peaceful coexistence. Nobody should take law into his or her hands to go and revenge, it is not time for revenge, it is time for peace and forgiveness,” he added.
“Border disputes should not cause fighting among us. Nobody should fight his brother because of border disputes between two states. Committees will be formed to solve the issue of boundaries, so don’t fight.”
The South Sudanese leader urged internally displaced persons who are still sheltering at the UN camp in Wau to return to their homes.
Peace implementation
President Kiir said that implementation of the revitalized peace agreement still faces challenges due to lack of funds.
Kiir noted that he asked Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during their meeting s in Juba on Monday to lobby the international community to allocate funds for South Sudan peace.
“I asked them to talk to the donors to give money for the implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan. Whether they would do or not, I have done my part,” he said.
Kiir apologizes
President Salva Kiir has asked the people of Wau State to forgive him for past mistake. “I want to apologize for what happened from 2013 until 2016. What happened has caused suffering to you,” he said.
“I want to apologize because I am the leader even If I did nothing wrong. I feel I made a mistake because it is my party that caused suffering to my people,” he added.
The SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir fractured into different groups after the civil war erupted in December 2013.
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is the governing party of South Sudan initially founded as the political wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army which fought for South Sudan independence.