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| The handshake that never held! |
When hundreds of political prisoners
have remained caged, and rebel leader, Dr, Riek Machar insists on not arriving
in #Juba at this particular time, even on official invitation of President Salva
Kiir; And another rebel leader, Gen. Thomas Cirillo, insisting not to be part
of the peace process; it leaves us all with more questions than answers.
QUESTIONS LINGER;
Already, many common people are
creating scary rumours, about the war situation in the newest state in the
world, South Sudan. For the umpteenth time, we read stories of accusations and
counter-accusations; that some political actors in Juba are conspiring to make
sure peace in South Sudan does not happen. People are asking some important
questions of the two key actors; President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Marcha. That,
why can’t they (#Kiir & #Machar) be true to their own words, and end the
suffering of people in their country? That when will the armed conflict there
end?
They see it has already led to serious
human rights violations. Where there were mass atrocities against civilians and
killings along ethnic lines. Abductions, rape, and sexual violence were
rampant. Villages were destroyed. That is why people are right to demand that
the key players show some honesty this time round in order to get peace.
MY TAKE:
If genuine peace should return to baby
SS, all stakeholders involved ought to bring humility to the discussion table. Here,
truth and accountability are high among the missing pieces of the puzzle in
efforts to stop the five-year brutality that has no doubt, left an ineradicable
mark.
It is commendable that the recent
progress in peace process has brought Nairobi, Entebbe, Khartoum and Addis
Ababa on board.
To join hands and try to make the
government and the rebels of South Sudan and all others grow up and ink a
permanent cease fire and power-sharing deal. The efforts are paying off because
we see that President Kiir has already offered amnesty to all those who pointed
a rocket launcher or a machine gun towards his direction.
United National Security Council (UNSC)
intervened, threatening violators of the peace process with sanctions. Travel
bans and asset freezes on individuals were also mooted. Even with these
measures, there were still violations here and there, and there have been
occasional setbacks in the peace process.
After Dr. Machar fled South Sudan in
2016, President Kiir always maintained a stance of unwillingness to talk peace.
And the various peace initiatives that were proposed fell short of achievement.
Against this non-commitment to peace as seen from the past, clearly, we know
too well that signing agreements on paper is no big deal these days.
The big deal is to follow through with
the implementation of the terms of the signed agreements.
Looking from the side-lines, the
international community has been itching to weigh in, promising sanctions if
Kiir and Machar do not comply. Mr. President accepted talks with his foe. And
in September, an agreement was reached between Kiir’s group and Machar’s.
Now Machar becomes the first vice
president of the south. And all the other loose ends of the agreement should
seamlessly fall in place. Officials in Juba must now pull their weights in the
same direction in order for peace to happen.
Otherwise, a regional force should be
on hand to swing into action, to keep the peace process on track, so that the
promises are not breached. The expectation is that the ugly days of the past
are firmly behind to pave way for peace to prevail. But it will take honesty by
all parties.
HONESTY OF PURPOSE;
We need president Kiir to be genuinely
honest about the decision to call Machar to the high table and also free all
the political captives from prison.
Likewise, we expect Machar to be humble
enough to allow peace to happen in South Sudan. To avoid setting tough
conditions that ensures all parties go divergent ways again.
Let us pray and hope for sustained
peace to happen in South Sudan this time.
