South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Saturday said his government is “unwaveringly committed” to ending the conflict with his former vice president that has killed thousands.
In his address to the UN General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting, Kiir urged the international community to pressure rebels led by political rival Riek Machar to sign “a crucially important document” that forms the basis for resolving the crisis peacefully and inclusively.
He said he has already signed the agreement along with leaders belonging to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
Fighting broke out in the world’s newest nation in December last year after Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, accused Machar, an ethnic Nuer, of trying to oust him in a coup. That sparked months of ethnic attacks. Despite ceasefires in January and May, government troops continue to fight the rebels.
The toll has been huge, with thousands killed and more than 1.3 million people forced to flee their homes, including nearly 100,000 who sought refuge in UN peacekeeping camps.
Kiir accused the rebels of violating the peace agreements “too many times.” He said his government has “unreservedly honored” the peace agreements and will continue to negotiate a peaceful solution in good faith.
US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power tweeted that she met Kiir to raise Washington’s concerns over the lack of political compromise and a law being considered that she said would make it harder for non-governmental organizations to work, “further hindering humanitarian aid and hurting democracy.”
Last month, the UN Security Council visited South Sudan and told Kiir and Machar “to end their devastating manmade conflict,” Power said.
“Unfortunately, no evidence our message was heeded,” she said.
Power said the solution is clear: South Sudan’s leaders must compromise and peacekeepers must be allowed to move around.
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