http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Warring-South-Sudan-factions-sign-peace-deal/-/1066/2610032/-/4su7kq/-/index.html
Monday, February 2, 2015
South Sudan President Salva Kiir (bottom right) and Dr Riek Machar
sign a peace pact in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 29th Extra
Ordinary session of IGAD on February 2, 2015. PHOTO | PSCU.
In Summary
The four day negotiations leading to the peace agreement signed at
12.21 am Monday morning were characterised by tension.
The warring factions agreed to adjourn further talks until February 19.
South Sudan warring factions sign peace deal
By PSCU
ADDIS ABABA
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar early
Monday signed a peace deal that immediately ends further bloodshed.
Under the new peace pact , the warring factions agreed to adjourn
further talks until February 19 when the negotiations resume ahead of
the final and comprehensive peace pact on March 5.
Any side which violates the new peace deal will face unspecified
penalties from both the African Union and the United Nations Security
Council, Chief Mediator, Ambassador Seuym Mesfen from Ethiopia warned.
The two leaders had on January 21 this year signed another agreement
aimed at reunifying the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Intense efforts spearheaded by regional leaders saw the Arusha meeting
last into late-night hours, marks a turning point in the bloody
conflict.
President Kiir, Machar and Mr Deng Alor Kuol signed the historic
agreement after SPLM Intra-Party Dialogue Summit.
(READ: Kiir, Machar agree to re-unify fractured SPLM)
On Monday, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ethiopia Prime Minister
Hailemariam Dessalegn and Ambassador Mesfen asked the two leaders to
show statesmanship and honour what they had signed.
The four day negotiations that lead to the peace agreement signing at
12.21am in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Monday were characterised by tension,
intense consultations, disagreements, two postponements and political
horse trading.
The peace pact was first scheduled to be signed on Thursday, January
29, but was postponed to Saturday and then Sunday.
The negotiations were held under the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (Igad).
President Kenyatta is Igad rapporteur while Ethiopia Prime Minister,
Hailemariam Dessalegn is the chairman.
ARMED SECURITY
Igad members include Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda,
Djibouti and the two twin states of Sudan and South Sudan.
The crisis in South Sudan started a year ago when former Vice
President Machar left the government in a huff after President Kiir
accused him of plotting a coup.
Dr Machar became the leader of the South Sudan People’s Liberation
Army (SPLA) while President Kiir was left holding to the ruling party,
the South Sudanese Liberation Movement-Government of South Sudan
Republic (SPLM-GSSR).
Since the split, the two sides and their supporters including militia
and armed security forces have been engaged in political skirmishes
that led to loss of lives.
Before President Kiir and his former Deputy signed the peace deal,
Ambassador Mesfen briefed the media and other stakeholders saying the
new agreement was an important development to end the bloody war.
He cautioned that all peace processes have their own challenges but
expressed optimism that the new pact will lead to sustainable peace.
He told the two principals that by signing the peace deal, they were
rededicating themselves to the cessation of all hostilities.
Thanking President Kiir and Dr Machar for engaging in consultations
and signing the peace pact, President Kenyatta said Igad leaders have
been seeking peace for South Sudan for a long time and expressed hope
the new deal will hold.
“The people in the region and the whole world are hopeful for peace in
South Sudan. The principals should commit themselves to peace until a
final agreement is reached,” said President Kenyatta.
He added; “This is what the people of South Sudan are hopeful for and
are confident peace will be restored.”
TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
He thanked the International community for overseeing the peace process.
The Ethiopian PM thanked Igad leaders for bringing President Kiir and
Dr Machar to the negotiating table, hoping that the two principals
will stop the suffering of the people of South Sudan.
“I am confident the two leaders will respect what they have signed
ahead of the comprehensive peace agreement on March 5,” said the PM.
He said the entire world is keenly watching to see whether peace will
prevail in the war-ravaged country.
President Kiir and Dr Machar exchanged the signed peace documents
amidst ululations and jubilation from their supporters.
The peace deal making was witnessed by representatives from the USA,
United kingdom, all other Igad members, Norway and China.
Igad Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahbub M Maalim and seasoned peace
negotiator from Kenya retired major General Elijah Sumbeiywo were also
present.
It is hoped that the final and comprehensive peace agreement will
include details about the proposed Transitional Government of National
Unity and comprehensive political reforms to facilitate General
Elections scheduled for June this year.
It is also hoped the final peace agreement will address itself to the
overhaul of the current security arrangement leading to a harmonised
security team drawn from the two sides in the conflict.
Received on Mon Feb 02 2015 - 15:34:51 EST