South Sudan: Kiir and Machar Agree to End Conflict

By Staff Writer

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar on Tuesday June 10 agreed to end the ongoing conflict in the new state and fully engaged in the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led peace process.

IGAD in a statement said both leaders had committed themselves to the formation of a transitional government of national unity within 60 days and ensure unhindered humanitarian support to affected people with immediate effect.

On Tuesday, IGAD leaders, the East African bloc brokering peace talks, held discussions with both Kiir and Machar to push for an end to fighting ahead of negotiations on the formation of a transitional government.

The summit convened in Addis Ababa by IGAD heads of states and chaired by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn,who is also the Executive Secretary, was specifically to discuss the South Sudan situation.

“They agreed to complete the dialogue process within the coming 60days on what, how, when and who… (For) the formation of the transitional government,” Desalegn said after the rare meeting between Kiir and Machar alongside regional leaders.

Summit participants applauded the two leaders on the signing of the landmark 9 May agreement, “which provided the basis for negotiating a transitional government of national unity; and committed them to ensure the inclusion of a broader range of South Sudanese stakeholders in the negotiations”.

IGAD regional leaders also commended the initiation of the inclusive, multi-stakeholder phase of negotiations, through a symposium held from the 6-7 June, stating it provided a platform for constructive dialogue on key matters related to political transition and peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The Addis Ababa conference was attended by over 200 South Sudanese participants drawn from a variety of sectors and regions, including government, opposition, civil society and faith-based groups.

IGAD mediators had earlier expressed concern over the failure by the two warring parties to adhere to provisions of signed ceasefire agreements, warning of tougher consequences.

IGAD member states also warned of possible “punitive” measures should parties to the South Sudanese conflict fail to honour their commitments to the resolutions contained in the statement.

"If they don't abide to this agreement, IGAD as an organization will act to implement peace in South Sudan. On that, we have different options including sanctions and (other) punitive actions as well," added Hailemariam, who is also current chair of the bloc.

It is the first time that South Sudan's neighbors have issued such a warning, indicating growing frustration in a region increasingly concerned that the unrest may escalate into a broader regional conflict.

Washington have already imposed measures,as U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Peter Gadet, an army commander loyal to Machar, and Major-General Marial Chanuong, head of Kiir's presidential guard. The designation freezes any of their assets in the United States and blocks American nationals or companies from dealing with them.

The meeting between the two rival leaders was their second face to face meeting since heavy fighting erupted mid-December, signed a second ceasefire agreement in May 9 after a previous deal failed to hold.

As government forces backing president Kiir and soldiers loyal to his sacked deputy Machar violated the ceasefire hours after it took effect, continuing the bloodshed leading to worsening of humanitarian crisis in the world's youngest state.

Fears of a descent into genocide grew after the United Nations said the rebels had massacred hundreds of civilians in Bentiu in April, residents of Bor, a predominantly Dinka town, and attacked members of the Nuer ethnic group camped in a U.N. base soon afterwards.

Desalegn, speaking at the opening of the summit slammed both sides in the conflict for failing to honour the cease fire agreement signed earlier.

“There has been a tendency to continue with the war,” he said, but added both Kiir and Machar had recommitted to the peace deal.

Kiir were “stupid” if they thought they could win on the battlefield, said Maalim.

“If we want to apportion blame, it’s theirs. I think sometimes they thought they can on the ground militarily, something very stupid,” Maalim said.

“We agreed to respect the roadmap agreement we signed on 9 May, recommitting ourselves to the cessation of hostilities agreement. We also agreed on free and unhindered humanitarian access to the needy populations,” Machar told Sudan Tribune from the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday.

The direct talks were held in the presence of Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and a number of regional leaders.

He further explained that the two parties and other South Sudanese stakeholders will negotiate the future style of governance in South Sudan and reach a peace agreement in which a transitional government will be formed.

Rebel forces are demanding a complete restructure of the state based on a peace agreement and a federal constitution, a move resisted by the government.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has welcomed the outcome of the 10 June meeting between the rival leaders.

“The commitment they did for 60 days is good and this demonstrates that they want to give peace a chance. Besides this move, CEPO is urging both leaders to ensure that the military fighting taking place in some parts of Upper Nile and Unity states is ended as it demonstrates bad practices and was making civilians feel that seriousness for giving peace a chance was low and doubtful,” CEPO’s executive director, Edmund Yakani, said.

CEPO has also urged both leaders to ensure the principles contained in signed agreements are “honoured and respected”.

Fighting has already killed thousands of people and forcing more than 1.3 million from their homes. The United Nations has warned that 4 million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of the year because violence had disrupted the planting season.

Oil output, South Sudan's economic lifeline, has been cut by a third to about 160,000 barrels per day since fighting began.

The cost of South Sudan’s peace process, which is supported by European Union, the European troika countries, currently stands at $17 million.