Dr. Riek Machar’s Speech at the UN high level meeting on South Sudan, New York City
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September 30, 2015 (SSB) — Ladies & gentlemen, let me express my profound appreciation to UN secretary general Mr. Ban Ki Moon for inviting me to this high level meeting on South sudan. This meeting highlight the world’s community concerns for consultating peace in South Sudan and the region. Mr. secretary general, i commend your personal commitment; I have come to express myself on peace agreement that I had signed on 17 august, 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia although the peace agreement did not meet our comfortable minimal bu we have accepted it and we are seriously propagating for its implementation amongst south Sudanese both inside the country and in the diaspora.
Mr.Chairman, the 21 months cease fire was vicious and devastating more than the war of self-determination and independence. To date, over tens of thousands of South Sudanese have perished and millions have been displaced internally and at risk of starvation. The United Nations in south sudan is protecting over 200, 000 souls that took refuge in the UN protection camps and over one million people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. The war had created a dire humanitarian situation; this war must stop! the peace agreement must be implemented!
However, there are challenges that will impede the peace agreement implementation and i want to raise some of these challenges in this meeting:-
1. There are pending issues that were not addressed in the last security workshop in Addis Ababa, particularly the determination of the seizes of the forces that will be deployed in Juba, Bor, Malakal, Bentiu and other major towns. We have notice that there is no common understanding on the interpretation of the demilitarization of Juba and the towns. The cease fire is not holding, i agree with president Salva Kiir on that. I don’t want the catalogue of violations as president Salva did this morning. The strange thing is that we are attacked and we are blamed…. I would like to say this in arabic(ضربنا بكا و سبقنا اشتكي)
2. No resources for assembling/contanonment of troops such as tents, food, water etc during the pre-transitional period.
3. No resources for disseminating the peace agreement amongst the citizens inside the country and the diaspora.
4. No resources for kicking off the most important part which is National reconciliation and healing during the pre-transitional period.
5. No resources for enhancing economic and service committees. We in the SPLM/A and our brothers and sisters in the government of Republic of South Sudan must embark on the trajectory that shall bring lasting peace and development to South Sudan. I particularly call up on my brother president Salva Kiir Mayardit to gather necessary political will to implement this peace agreement in letter and spirit. He must start by withdrawing the reservations he has placed on the agreement. The unity of our people is dependent on this agreement.
Your excellency;
The role of UN, AU, IGAD and the countries surrounding South Sudan is fundamentally in the new trajectory South Sudan’s text in words of the UN secretary general during the admission of South Sudan as 193rd member of the UN and I quote ” the commitment of all members states will be essential as South Sudan moves forward”; this statement remains true today.
Your excellency;
Mr. chairman, Am aware that for this compromise peace agreement to last and achieved its goal, it must also be bridge for achieving peace in Sudan and Uganda and also it is time for the people of two Sudans to embark on the new beginning___a total peace for the region.
In the other hands, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the AU peace and security council for discussing the report of the AU commission of the inquiry on South Sudan conflict and for making the report public. Ultimately, we as political leaders must realize our collective responsibility to repair the torn social fabric of South Sudan through the transitional justice process set forth in the recently signed agreement to heal the emotional and physical wounds inflicted on our people by this destructive conflict. I will go back to South Sudan taking with me the reassurances that the world, through the UN remains actively to engage in bringing lasting peace and development to our people.
In my part and on behave of the SPLM/A, I pledge to remain committed in consolidating Peace in South Sudan and the region. Doing so pave the way for development and prosperity in the country.
Your excellency;
Mr. chairman, to conclude, many external observers and sometimes even South Sudanese themselves asks question: Is South Sudan viable in the long run? Yes, I tells them that it is viable.
Your excellency, it is viable state and what my country needs is not new forces, but fresh ideas, a political vision and a road map.
South Sudan needs five things to happen in the short period coming;
1. Peace and security needs to be restored to South Sudan.
2. IDPS and refugees needs to be repatriated and resettlement.
3. South Sudan must be connected to itself and its neighbours by modern roads.
4. South Sudan must build its own national power grid to enhance development.
5. South Sudan must produce its own foods. We hope South Sudan become the bread basket of the region.
Thank you very much.
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