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Kenya to push for talks to shore up S. Sudan peace process

Xinhua, September 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the international community to encourage dialogue among the South Sudanese parties to the current peace agreement for smooth implementation.

Kenya who held talks on Friday evening in Nairobi with visiting South Sudan special envoy Barnaba Marial Benjamin who delivered a special message from President Salva Kiir.

Kenyatta said it is gratifying that President Kiir, who was granted a request for a 15-day window to consult his constituents before appending his signature on the compromise peace agreement, signed the document a week later in Juba.

"President Kenyatta assured the government and people of South Sudan that Kenya stood by them as they implemented the peace agreement and would offer all necessary support," said a statement issued after the meeting.

Kiir said last week he was signing the agreement because he wants peace for his country and requested neighbouring nations to continue supporting his country to safeguard peace.

He said South Sudan has to choose between the two options of imposed peace or war and he would choose to end the conflict.

Before signing the peace agreement, the South Sudanese government submitted its reservations of the agreement in writing to the visiting Heads of State.

President Kiir said the document will also be officially submitted to the IGAD so that it goes on record.

Kenyatta said it was a happy day for the region as the commitment to stop the war will allow South Sudan to resume its search for prosperity.

On Friday, Benjamin briefed the Kenyatta on the progress in implementation of the peace agreement signed by Machar in Addis Ababa and President Kiir in Juba.

The Special Envoy assured President Kenyatta that his government was implementing a ceasefire as per the peace agreement.

He thanked the President, other regional leaders and the international community for the role they played in brokering peace in South Sudan.

The security situation in South Sudan deteriorated steadily over the past year since political in-fighting between President Kiir and Riek Machar, and their respective factions erupted in December 2013.

The hostilities subsequently turned into a full-fledged conflict, resulting in reported atrocities and possible war crimes.

According to the latest estimates released by the UN refugee agency, more than 730,000 people have fled into neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, which has seen the highest arrival rate this year. Endit