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NEW YORK - 27 Sep 2019

Unity government will be formed by November: FVP tells UN

First Vice-President Taban Deng addresses the 74th session of the UN general assembly’s general debate on 26 September, 2019 (UN photo/Laura Jarriel)
First Vice-President Taban Deng addresses the 74th session of the UN general assembly’s general debate on 26 September, 2019 (UN photo/Laura Jarriel)

South Sudan’s First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai on Thursday told the United Nations General Assembly that the unity government will be formed on November 12.

 “Last year, I stood here representing a country many skeptics had considered was on the brink of deteriorating into violent conflict,” said Taban Deng Gai, adding that now, “South Sudan is heading towards lasting peace and stability”. 

He credited success in the ongoing implementation of the 2018 peace deal to the engagement of different parties, and urged the international community to support efforts to bring non-signatories “on board”. 

Gai told the Assembly that a face-to-face meeting between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar earlier this month offered an opportunity to deliberate issues and pave the way for the new government by 12 November. 

“The Transnational Government of National Unity will continue to consolidate peace including preparations for elections at the end of the Transnational Period”, he said, calling upon UN Member States “to extend much needed support for the new incoming Government”. 

Security situation 

As the government and parties to the peace accord had worked diligently to implement its provisions, Gai said, the country’s overall security situation is stable. 

He elaborated on several peace initiatives underway, including dialogues at grassroots, regional and national levels, which he said have made “significant strides towards reconciliation and healing” among the country’s diverse communities. 

Turning to the disputed Abyei region, Mr. Gai said his government is “gravely concerned” about the security situation there and urged the UN Secretary-General to quickly appoint the UN Interim Security Force’s (UNISFA) Civilian Deputy Head.