VP JAMES WANI IGGA’S STATEMENT AT AFRICA-FRANCE SUMMIT- BAMAKO
Statement of H.E. James Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, during Bamako Partnership, Peace, and Emergence Summit at the International Conference Hall, Mali- Bamako- January 14, 2017
January 15, 2017 (SSB) — Your Excellency the Chair of the Summit, Your Excellencies the Heads of State and Governments, Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you all cordial greetings from my President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the entire people of South Sudan.
On Partnership
Partnership among and between African countries is manifested by current efforts on regional and inter-regional economic integration schemes. More prominent is the partnership between Africa and the rest of the world in the fields of security and economic growth bearing in mind the sustainable development Agenda 2030. Indeed, Pan-Africanism informs us to work together in robust partnerships.
It is strongly recommended that we take more determined steps to further strengthen our bargaining influence as a single gigantic region. Case in point is the need to solicit funds for projects that promote regional and continental integration. We must take advantage of the greatest economic leaps humanity has achieved in the last half century.
We must work hard to meet the human development targets inline with Agenda 2030 (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063 and Addis Ababa Financing Development Targets. In this regard, we must give priority to youth and women’s empowerment, improving maternal and general health, providing universal primary education, and so on.
On Peace:
Your Excellencies,
Different countries are grappling to establish various forms of peace. For example, while the biggest threats to countries in the Sahel could be terrorism and economic immigration and human trafficking, some countries in central Africa such as Sudan, South Sudan and Congo (DRC) are struggling with internal rebellions and refugee crises. Furthermore, challenges such as maritime security (piracy) may not be so great in landlocked countries whereas it a serious menace to those along the coast lines.
For individual countries, generally speaking, peace has been elusive and inconsistently witnessed in the continent. It is commendable that some countries have taken positive steps towards entrenching peace, but others are still grappling with insecurity.
Peace in South Sudan:
Excellencies,
I will straight away go to my country South Sudan. Barely after two years of its independence in 2011, my country descended into one of the most intense and destructive civil wars in Africa.
As we quickly tried to recover through a politically negotiated settlement under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), we consequently formed a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU). And it is TGONU which is currently working hard to bring peace to South Sudan.
The former 1st Vice President Dr. Riek Machar co-signed the current peace agreement which formed the present government (TGONU), but rebelled again and went to the bush. Those who remained inside with the government are looking for ways to pacify and reconcile the people, including those who have taken up arms. The TGONU is determined and has the will to implement the peace agreement signed in August 2015.
In order to reconcile our people, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has recently decreed the launching of a Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue, which hopefully will see citizens uniting, reconciling and rebuilding their country.
Your Excellencies,
In conclusion,
It is only when we together consolidate our various forms of partnerships, security and peaceful transition that Africa shall emerge stronger. Africa has all the needed prerequisites such as vast agricultural land and various types of natural resources to emerge as the center of global economic development. We must, indeed we can, begin transforming the lives of our people today, not tomorrow.
Thank you very much.
The opinion expressed here is solely the view of the writer. The veracity of any claim made are the responsibility of the author, not PaanLuel Wël: South Sudanese Bloggers (SSB) website. If you want to submit an opinion article or news analysis, please email it to paanluel2011@gmail.com. SSB do reserve the right to edit material before publication. Please include your full name, email address, city and the country you are writing from.
About Post Author
