Unity government will be timely formed: Kiir

President Salva Kiir awards medals to several eminent personalities and officers in Juba on 5 September, 2019. (Photo: Radio Tamazuj)

South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir has assured the country’s citizens that the transitional government of national unity would be formed on time.

South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir has assured the country’s citizens that the transitional government of national unity would be formed on time.

Speaking at the 64th Veterans' Day celebrations in the capital, Juba on Thursday, Kiir warned against the use of violence and urged the people to speak the language of peace.

South Sudan celebrated its Veterans' Day occasion on Thursday, marking the 64th anniversary of the start of the first Sudan’s civil war. This year’s celebration was under the theme, ‘Thank you veterans’.

That war, known as Anyanya One Movement, began on 18 August 1955 and was instigated by the Torit Mutineers and ended in 1972. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, following a peace agreement that ended the second civil war of 1983-2005.

The South Sudanese leader vowed to continue awarding medals to soldiers for the important roles they played to liberate the country.

Several eminent personalities and senior officers of South Sudan’s national army, police and the wildlife service were awarded for their vision, leadership and commitment during the liberation war.

Kiir called upon the country’s citizens to welcome opposition groups ahead of formation of the transitional government.

President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and a handful of other opposition groups signed a peace deal in September 2018. A new unity government is expected to be formed in November 2019.