South Sudan Kiir rejects return of Machar, declares unilateral ceasefire
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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)
May 22, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Monday rejected
the return of his former first deputy and rebel leader, Riek Machar to
the country to participate in the national dialogue.
President Kiir, who spoke at the swearing ceremony of the members of
the dialogue committee which he formed earlier this year, claimed the
return of Machar would lead to another conflict in the country.
Machar, he said, would only participate in the dialogue through people
he would delegate to represent him and his movement in the dialogue.
The security of his delegates, he adds, will be guaranteed by the
government.
The South Sudanese leader cautiously declared a unilateral ceasefire,
instructing army to fight back in self-defence in the event of an
attack against their positions by rival forces.
“I am also once again declaring a unilateral ceasefire effective
immediately. I further order the SPLA command to immediately observe
this in their defensive positions”, said Kiir
“Of course all us who are soldiers in this hall know that unilateral
ceasefire cannot be binding on the other side. But you the same who on
the side that you declare a ceasefire from, you deserve the right also
to defend yourself if you are attacked,” he lamented.
He explained that the objective of the unilateral ceasefire would
create an environment for an inclusive dialogue and to facilitate the
movement of humanitarian aid to famine-stricken areas.
“The dialogue should start with those that are willing while the
committee continues to engage those who are hesitant or have concerns.
The government stands ready to accept and implement the outcomes of
National Dialogue process,” he said.
The president further called on the regional and international
partners to work closely with the steering national dialogue committee
and support the dialogue process for the sake of peace in the country.
The inauguration of the steering committee for the National Dialogue
was attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Speaking as “a
special guest” President Museveni, a regional ally of President Kiir,
slipped in his speech by saying that “I thank President Salva Kiir for
killing you.”
The Ugandan leader quickly corrected the statement to say “I thank
President Salva Kiir for calling me.” Uganda sent thousands of
soldiers to fight alongside President Kiir’s SPLA against the rebels
at the onset of conflict in 2013.
GOODWILL
President Kiir said he will pardon prisoners of war.
“As a gesture of goodwill and in the spirit of national dialogue, I
have directed the prosecutor general to immediately review the cases
of those who have committed crimes against the state, commonly known
as political prisoners, and ensure the necessary steps are taken to
lead to their release,” he said without mentioning any political
prisoner by name.
The national dialogue committee is co-chaired by Abel Alier-wal Kuai,
former President of High Executive for Southern Sudan and Angelo Beda,
a veteran South Sudanese politician.
There are more than 90 members on the committee but armed opposition
groups are not represented.
(ST)
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22 May 22:52, by Eastern
Museveni "thanked" Kiir for KILLING South Sudanese! The chief
executioner of the Al Nakba was in Juba today to gauge progress!!!
repondre message
22 May 22:59, by South South
Eastern,
What are you talking about man?
repondre message
22 May 23:06, by South South
Eastern,
Museveni is not God, anyone can make a mistake like that.
Let’s focus on peace through National Dialogue.
repondre message
22 May 23:07, by Mi diit
Speaking as “a special guest” President Museveni, a regional
ally of President Kiir, slipped in his speech by saying that “I thank
President Salva Kiir for killing you.”
The Ugandan leader quickly corrected the statement to say “I
thank President Salva Kiir for calling me.”
repondre message
22 May 23:09, by Mi diit
I ever say, what happens under water will appears on the
surface of water.
repondre message
22 May 23:12, by Mi diit
President Museveni has finally spoken.
The words uttered by Museveni show that God is in
everywhere and in everyone’s tongue.
You can’t hide the truth.
repondre message
22 May 23:16, by Mi diit
That so-called National dialogue is nothing but a
scapegoat to blindfold the world. To me it is a bleeding to an alread
bleeding nation. The good thing is that, our boys in Yei will soon
reach the outskirts of Juba city.
Stay tune.
repondre message
23 May 06:37, by jubaone
Eastern,
M7 has found the Kiirminal a "useful idiot" who is remotely
controlled to destroy SS to the advantage of Uganda. Go across the
R.Nile behind Sherikat at Suk Wewe (Juba Economic Free Zone) and see
how wholesale and retailing had been entirely controlled by wewes. SS
has become a Ugandan protectorate and the Kiirminal is just the best
for M7. Garang was a smart Dinka not a jienge.
repondre message
22 May 23:22, by Sunday Junup
“I thank President Salva Kiir for killing you.”
The Ugandan leader quickly corrected the statement to say “I thank
President Salva Kiir for calling me.” Help me, do you see any
correction for Killing you to Calling me? two different sentances but
thank G-d he finally open his mouth!
repondre message
22 May 23:30, by Sunday Junup
South South, Kuch Native and Kuch,
Your guest of honor has officially open your National dialogue
with a word ’’ I THANKS SALVA KIIR FOR KILLING YOU!! Only idiot will
be annoyed with this Truth because it give the reality of dialogue, i
wish Kiir to confess the reality too by saying, ’’I killed dr.John and
wanted to Kill dr.Riak because of presidency’’. That time we will have
real peace
repondre message
23 May 02:31, by South South
Sunday Junup,
Please find something else to talk about. Uganda president is
the best friend of South Sudan. Sudantribune never says anything
right.
repondre message
23 May 03:11, by Naath
Dinka tribal gange leader Kiir is known for killing his own
people. Kiir is the most foolish tribal leader on the planet that is
known for destruction and killing of insance people.
repondre message
23 May 05:03, by john akeen
Naath
you need to be quiet because you don’t even know what you
talking about and you don’t even know what are you fighting about, so
be quiet OK
repondre message
23 May 03:39, by hendi permana
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repondre message
23 May 06:56, by jubaone
hendi permana,
I don’t know what your message is supposed to convey, but I
see urgent need for counseling. Could be the crisis in SS is taking
toll of people in a bizarre art.
repondre message
23 May 04:52, by john akeen
What are you people talking about? Anyways President Salva Kiir
got hired by 95 million people by vote and Riek Machar wants to get
hired by 5 million people by any means. President Salva Kiir has a
right to call for national dialogue and has a right to invite who ever
want to stand beside SS people and has a right to defend the
constitution of the land by any means, because 95M people gave>>
repondre message
23 May 04:53, by john akeen
him that rights to do so
repondre message
23 May 05:27, by Malakal county Simon
John Akeen/Slave
Stop for moment and think before you say any craps.... Where
did you get your figure of 95 millions voted for your failed unwanted
president Kiir from and which year did we (South Sudanese) went for
election?? In-fact, unwanted president today remain illegitimate
president in the world because he never been elected but lucky enough
as he was mandate by the people’s of-
repondre message
23 May 05:35, by Malakal county Simon
cont...
South Sudan to lead them to promise land but if he failed
today, why can’t he step-aside peacefully for the people’s whom have
mandated 7 years ago if he is truly a people’s leader??
repondre message
23 May 05:52, by Kush Natives
"Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Speaking as “a special guest”
President Museveni, a regional ally of President Kiir, slipped in his
speech by saying that “I thank President Salva Kiir for killing you.”
That’s a total amount lie, where in world would a mature enough
man and a president at the same can pronounce this stupidity
statements? Something went bias here!
repondre message
23 May 05:57, by Kush Natives
Yes, I seconded president for rejecting opposition leader Riek
Machar into this critical dialogue, because the man is really a
trouble maker. He may ignite an another tricks. Let him seek his
medical treatment first-hand. I have no time for him at the moment. We
need to keeps the Nuer survival alive,there’s need for him wiped out
the remaining Nuers. We reject him in strongest terms possible.
repondre message
23 May 06:51, by jubaone
Bush Natives,
This luakjieng monologue must first be evidenced by
concrete development and prosperity in jiengeland. Once we see that
jienges start returning to their luaks, start cultivation, develop
then the rest can join. As of now, this is just political bragging and
cheap public relations exposure without substance. Just a tribal
circus.