Opinion: Time for peace in South Sudan

The author of this opinion piece, a South Sudanese student in Ethiopia, criticizes South Sudan’s two warring parties for failing to meet a deadline to agree on a transitional government. He calls for the two sides to put aside their differences.

The author of this opinion piece, a South Sudanese student in Ethiopia, criticizes South Sudan’s two warring parties for failing to meet a deadline to agree on a transitional government. He calls for the two sides to put aside their differences.

The Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan was signed last June between Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, president of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, chairman of SPLM/A (In Opposition) and former vice president. 

Both leaders agreed that a transitional government of national unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to take the country forward, and that such a government shall oversee government functions during a transitional period, implement critical reforms as negotiated through the peace process, oversee a permanent constitutional process, and guide the country into new elections.

They agreed to direct their respective representatives to the IGAD-led peace process to negotiate the terms of such a transitional government of national unity within sixty days, equivalent to two months.

South Sudanese were very optimistic and immediately started counting the 60 days till they finished with zero accomplishment.

Who is going to be blamed for the failure of restoration of peace in the new nation: only the two principles? Thousands of souls have been lost and a million are displaced in and out of the country and now the country is expecting extreme hunger and starvation, or so-called ‘famine’.

Therefore, as the youth and citizens of this nation we are suffering a lot from this unfortunate incident to the new-born state South Sudan. For that reason we urge the SPLM/IO and the government of South Sudan to put their interest aside and prioritize the vulnerable peoples by committing to the peace process. Though we are very disappointed for the expiry of 60 days agreement to finalize the peace accord, nonetheless we still have tiny faith for you to bring peace and harmony.

In conclusion, we come to this universe with empty hand, and we will leave it the same way. Time for peace and reconciliation has come no matter how we have been hurt, we have to let it go. 

Long live South Sudan,

Long live people of South Sudan‼!

The author is a third year Mining Engineering student in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made are the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj