Leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, on Thursday welcomed a final peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir, aimed to end the 20-month long conflict in South Sudan.
“We welcome the signing of the peace agreement by President Salva Kiir although it was nine days late from the scheduled signing ceremony,” Machar told Sudan Tribune on Thursday in an exclusive interview in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
President Kiir signed the peace deal in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, on Wednesday more than one week after refusing to do so.
Despite signing the long-awaited peace deal, the South Sudanese president has however expressed “serious reservations” he did not specify with regard to the mediation process, but said he would sign the deal even if his reservations were not considered in the document.
The rebels say they are hopeful a newly-signed peace treaty will be carried out and bring an end to the country’s 20-month civil war.
Rebel representatives called on the government and their own side to adhere to the peace treaty, signed by President Salva Kiir in Juba on Wednesday.
On his part President Kiir expressed strong reservations about the agreement Wednesday, and rebel chief Riek Machar said that “casts doubt” on the government’s commitment to the treaty.
Low-level fighting was reported in the town of Bentiu on Thursday.
UN support for the deal
Welcoming President Salva Kiir’s signing of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the move is “a critical and necessary step towards ending the 20 month-long conflict that has devastated [the country] and subjected its people to unspeakable suffering.”
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban commended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Partners Forum (IGAD)-led mediation for its tireless efforts to bring the peace talks to a successful conclusion.
“He is heartened by the unity of purpose that regional leaders have displayed in seeking an end to this tragic conflict. Their continued positive engagement remains essential to the achievement of lasting peace in South Sudan,” the statement added.
Now is the time to ensure that this agreement translates into an end to the violence, hardship and horrific human rights violations witnessed throughout this conflict.
“Now is the time to ensure that this agreement translates into an end to the violence, hardship and horrific human rights violations witnessed throughout this conflict,” the Secretary-General said in his statement and added that the UN stands ready to support the Parties in the implementation of this Agreement, in close cooperation with IGAD, the African Union and international partners.
Mr. Ban urged the parties to work in good faith to implement its provisions, beginning with a permanent ceasefire and the granting of unhindered freedom of movement to UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and to humanitarian actors working to reach people in need of urgent assistance.
