We’re committed to peace: Machar
The First Vice President Dr Riek Machar has affirmed his commitment to the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement saying his party will do anything possible to safeguard the country’s peace.
In a statement shared with newsrooms on Monday evening, Dr Machar, who is the chairperson of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, said his party or his forces will not be part of the trigger of yet another violence in the country.
‘‘I want to take this moment to call upon SPLM/SPLA-IO forces to remain calm and observe the cessation of hostilities agreement of December 27, 2017, and permanent ceasefire as stipulated in R-ARCSS,’’ he stated.
‘‘I reiterate and confirm unequivocally the solemn commitment of SPLM/SPLA-IO to the people of South Sudan, the region and the international community at large that SPLM/SPLA-IO will not be the one to return the country to war,’’ he further said.
His statement came after the SPLM also issued a statement committing to peace and implicating ‘‘some individuals and political leaders in the diaspora for beating the drums of war.’’
‘‘We want to assure the people of South Sudan that the Revitalised Peace Agreement is intact and that there is no return to war,’’ said Peter Lam Both, the SPLM Acting Secretary-General.
The ruling party also committed to implementing the peace agreement even as it distanced itself from the political defection rocking the main opposition outfit.
The two parties have been locked up in blame games, with each party pointing fingers at the other for staging a provocative military offensive in Upper Nile and the Unity States.
