The United Nations Security Council On Wednesday made an appeal to South Sudan’s warring parties to publicly confirm their commitment to a peace deal that calls for a coalition government to be formed on November 12, reported The National.
The UN council expressed concern that members did not observe substantive progress on the implementation of key elements of the peace agreement during their recent visit to South Sudan. It called out the warring parties to fulfill benchmarks in the peace deal and ceasefire agreements.
“Full implementation of all provisions of the peace agreement remains the only path that will set the country towards the goal of peace, stability, and development,” the council members said.
The peace deal in question was signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar in September of 2018. Under the agreement, opposition leader Riek Machar is to return to the capital Juba on November 12 and once again serve as President Salva Kiir’s deputy, as part of a power-sharing deal.
The agreement is expected to take the country out of a five-year civil war that has killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions. But, the peace deal has been marred with delays and continued fighting in some parts.
Last month, Mr. Machar made a plea to the Security Council delegation that met him in Juba on October 20. He warned that the cease-fire enjoyed by the people of the country for over a year could fail if a unity government was not formed by the November deadline. He noted the previous power-sharing accord between him and Kiir collapsed in 2016 and brought renewed fighting.
Mr. Machar has appealed for six months additional time to resolve pending issues. He said that the extension would only be worthwhile if the government released funds it had agreed to spend on implementing the peace deal.
