South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called upon the hold out opposition groups to lay down arms and return home to participate in the upcoming general Elections.
“I call upon the opposition forces, especially the hold out groups who are fighting against the government to lay down their arms and return home and exercise their democratic rights in the upcoming general elections,” said President Kiir during his New Year address to the nation in Juba.
He said that the year 2024 looks promising but also admitted that the country continues to suffer from international economic sanctions and arms embargo imposed since outbreak of conflict in December 2013.
“These arms embargo is in a way affecting implementation of peace agreement. Despite these challenges, the implementation of peace agreement is on track and the final stage of this agreement will lead to general election at the end of 2024,” said Kiir.
He urged the people of South Sudan wherever they are to participate in the general elections.
“There is no doubt 2023 will hold a special place in our history book because we the people of South Sudan proved to the world that we can achieve so much more with limited resources for our nation to thrive in peace and prosperity among the community of nations,” said Kiir.
He said that together with their partners, they made significant progress in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
Kiir noted that among these achievements include graduation and deployment of the first batch of the unified forces, passing of critical legislations and formation of important constitutional bodies.
The opposition hold parties under the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) include South Sudan United Front led by Gen. Paul Malong, National Salvation Front under Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka and Real-SPLM led by former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum.
SSOMA is a coalition of opposition groups that did not sign the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
However, Kiir also admitted that his administration is disturbed by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan which has resulted in massive displacement and suffering of the Sudanese people.
South Sudan and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states are working tirelessly in an effort to mediate peace in Sudan.
“We hope these efforts will result in permanent peace for the people of the Sudan,” said Kiir.
According to the United Nations, South Sudan is currently hosting more than 460,000 returnees and refugees who fled conflict in neighboring Sudan since outbreak on April 15 2023.
