South Sudan Kiir urges opposition to prepare for elections

[Elisabeth Janaina]

South Sudan Kiir urges opposition to prepare for elections

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President Salva Kiir addresses delegates during the swearing-in
ceremony of FVP Taban Deng Gai at the Presidential Palace in Juba,
July 26, 2016. (Reuters/Jok Solomun)
August 14, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Monday urged the hold
out armed and political opposition groups to stop the fighting and to
prepare themselves to take part in the general elections after the end
of the transitional period.

President Kiir made the comments during a meeting with Koma and Gajaak
communities at the presidential palace on Monday during which he
called on the traditional leaders of the two communities to unite and
move forward together in order to overcome the challenging security
situation in the country.

“There is nothing you will gain in splitting Maiwut or moving away
from Maiwut and go to another area. You have to understand that your
union has a lot of strength than division,” said President Kiir.

He further asked the communities to reconcile and embark on peaceful
sensitization campaign to bring people together in the area.

Kiir took the opportunity to call the whole South Sudanese to embrace
peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and unity, stressing that because
of these needs he launched the national dialogue process which should
allow them to chart together their future.

"We are now calling on the people who are still advocating for war to
denounce violence, stop fighting and come back to participate in the
dialogue process so that people go for elections after the end of the
transitional period. Elections will people give an opportunity to make
their own choices,” further said Kiir.

Following a series of attacks and counterattacks, the government
forces last week captured the SPLM-IO stronghold town of Pagak which
is part of Maiut state.

The government plans to use t this victory to generate a new dynamic
to discourage those who joined the rebellion or the opposition hold
out groups to join the government-led dialogue process.

Meanwhile, the Maiwut state parliamentary speaker told Sudan Tribune
on Monday that the meeting was fruitful, saying the Koma and Gajaak
communities were brought together by the president.

“The community of Koma and Gajaak held a meeting with President of the
Republic of South Sudan, H.E General Salva Kiir Mayardit this morning
in J1about the creation of Maiwut State.

He further announced that the Koma who were opposed to the new state
have finally accepted to remain in Maiwut State and abandoned their
demand to join the Northern Upper Nile State.

"The Koma community members who attended the meeting are directed to
unite themselves and to nominate a candidate for Deputy Governor
position,” said speaker Choul Dep Kiir.

The President Kiir, according to speaker, advised Gajaak not to
mistreat Koma Community.

"The President directed Gajaak to share the State Government with Koma
fairly. He told Koma that he will try his level best to take the
development to Koma County," the speaker said.

The population of Maiwut State, which consists of Maiwut, Longochuk
and Koma counties, is composed of the Koma ethnic group and Gajaak who
are a sub-clan of Jikany Nuer.

Following the establishment of Maiwut, the Koma split into two groups
some of them said hostile to be part of a new administrative entity
dominated by the Nuer who killed their tribesmen in other states when
the conflict erupted in December 2013.

The Koma group headed by Hon. Ali Adlan, an MP in the National
Transitional Legislative Assembly was opposed to the new state but it
is accepted by a group headed by Hon. Col. Baryach Uluch who is the
leader of Koma community.

(ST)

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14 August 23:51, by Kush Natives

First and foremost I don’t know what’s the hell is called Koma, is
it Nuer language or is it a name that I have just emerged from no
where? Back to Mr. President Salva Kiir, FYI, those two subtribe of
Gajak and ***K**a will not delay this post election. Focus on how this
will conduct this 2018 election!

repondre message
15 August 10:38, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam

That good news.

repondre message
15 August 16:05, by Mr. Right

Good news, indeed! We need a new face.

repondre message
15 August 13:27, by Mi diit

Incompetent Kiir is now over ambitious simply because of his
friend Uhuru’successful result in the elections.
Don’t compare yourself with the senior and competent dictator
Uhuru Kenyata. You are surrounded by primitive interest group called
JCE whilst Uhuru is surrounded by big minded people.

Incompetent Kiir must go!

repondre message
15 August 13:31, by Mi diit

Those are not Gajaak but few disciples of Lol Nyakier and
criminal Taban (an adopted Fallati orphan).

Gajaak are hand in hand with their suffering people.

Viva Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhur-gon.
Viva SPLM/A I.O
Viva the bleeding Republic of South Sudan.

repondre message
15 August 01:54, by Theone

I’m telling you right now,Mark my words!

It is Khartoum money first, Just ask Riek.

repondre message
15 August 02:46, by john locke

This is funny.. the same man who just fsiled at capturing pagak is
now the same man whos saying wait for elections. If kiir would have
kept riek as vp and eaited for elections all of this would have been
avoided. This man needs to be removed asap

repondre message
15 August 04:27, by john akeen

I understand our people used to die because of their land was
occupied by Arab since 1956, but now why are we killing ourselves for
politicians? do you remember when Arab used to tell us, there will be
no Christian man or women will rule Muslim man or women. I believe
Arab people they used to say South Sudanese people they are not
educated but they are smart, but what C in us is that we are

repondre message
15 August 04:43, by john akeen

very stupid people and the people that who made us stupid, is
the people that who is caring weapon against our government. I have 2
questions to ask, my number 1 is, why are you fighting for Riek Machar
to became a president of the people of South Sudan by force? My second
question is, why are you fighting for president Salva Kiir to stay in
the office for long time?

repondre message
15 August 06:26, by Malakal county Simon

is this a mockery or a dream?

First, there is no way a fair, credible election can be
hold in this world when the war still continue in the most part of the
country. Half of the country population which counted to millions, has
been displaced and some outside the country while majority of them are
in UNIMISS camps....

repondre message
15 August 06:40, by Malakal county Simon

Cont...

Second, if the majority populations of the country
cannot casts their votes freely, who is going to vote for you than Mr
unwanted president??

Thirdly, You Mr unwanted president need to stop your
sense-less war.

fourthly, Step-aside because your hands are tainted
with full-blood of South Sudanese people’s based on tribal
killings....

repondre message
15 August 06:53, by Malakal county Simon

Fifthly, There is a need to form a genuine interim
led-government with out your participation in it. A trusted person
with good back-ground, must be chosen by the citizens of South Sudan
to lead them to the election year.... By then, you can contest if
you’re still interested!!!! This small piece of advice may not favour
you, but it’s may help you to gains the trust back from the
people’s....

repondre message
15 August 07:26, by Jongo

OK Mr, County
You get two options either one will continue, Kiir
remains in power & the war continue or stop the war & conduct the
elections to remove Kiir & it’s the only way to come to power not
through guns points Please choose one Bra people are tired you too

repondre message
15 August 16:47, by Kush Natives

Malakal county Simon,
At least we’re keeping trying in a peaceful manner,
that’s the only alternative method to get rid of president Salva Kiir,
otherwise, you will stacked in the bushes for life. Why opposing the
election? We in the government already have you 4 years in the bush in
order to get rid Kiir, but it didn’t worked.

repondre message
15 August 16:50, by Kush Natives

Opposing the election is recipe for disaster
preparedness. How long will you animals remained a slave?

repondre message
15 August 06:20, by Tilo

john akeen
South Sudan have well educated and smart people in the country
but chance was not given to them to rule the country. We more
competent people who can lead this country to the right path.

Kiir plz Stop the fighting now and go for general election in 2018

repondre message
15 August 07:35, by john akeen

Tilo
you want president Kiir to step outside for who? For Riek
Machar, if you say yes, than I will declare that you’re out of your
mind in this website. You have agreed that you are not in the bush to
fight for some changes in the government, but you did agree that you
are fighting Dinka but not the government of your country, even your
boss Reik Machar agreed on that too, am I right

repondre message
15 August 07:51, by Jongo

Toli
I agreed with you We are well educated people,Smart &
talented but & unfortunately we are not well civilized, we are
chaotic, indiscipline,angry,unstable,selfies & most important
corrupted people Bad foundation but all of this can be fix in peace so
let us give peace chance & work for our prosper all the above bad
remarks gradually will vanish God Bless SS

repondre message
15 August 11:15, by Mike Charlie MC

Shame on Your Fake Gajaak of NuerWEW,SPLA-IO will not getup
because you agreed with Dinka President ,,,

repondre message
15 August 13:58, by lou nuer

Mr. Kiir Mayardit which has turned to be Kiir Mayardot in mind.
The Country still in war and saying Opposition should prepare for next
year election? What a mysth you are doing with your wrong advisors?.
You will realize lately that, what you have been doing was completely
wrong.

Lou Nuer

repondre message
15 August 16:18, by Mr. Right

@lounuer,
SPLM-IO is not the only opposition party in the country. Stop
shouting in the bush and just come back and vote Kiir out, period.
Like I said earlier, we need a new face.

repondre message
15 August 14:46, by jur_likang_a_ likan’g

The elections called for can best suit Gogrial and Aweil.