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South Sudan launches national peace, reconciliation dialogue

Xinhua, December 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Wednesday launched an initiative aimed at ending violence and boosting national healing, peace and reconciliation in the country torn apart by war and ethnic divisions.

Kiir told members of the national transitional assembly in the capital Juba that the campaign seeks to provide a forum for the people of South Sudan to end violent conflict, reconstitute national consensus and save the country from tearing apart.

"In light of this national endeavor, I am calling upon all of you to forgive one another, enter dialogue with one another in your personal capacities, embrace one another and consider yourselves as equal citizens of this country," Kiir said.

He also asked the people of South Sudan "to forgive me for any mistakes I might have committed."

He said a national committee of eminent personalities drawn from think tanks, academia and religious groups will be instituted to develop an agenda for implementation of the project at community and regional levels.

The South Sudan leader assured citizens that the process will be inclusive to all South Sudanese.

He said ongoing economic crisis and a fragile political situation in the country threatened to tear the country apart, urging all armed groups fighting his government to renounce violence and embrace dialogue.

South Sudan descended into civil war since December 2013 after Kiir accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 under international pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government in April, but was devastated by renewed fighting between the rival army factions in early July.

Machar left South Sudan and was sacked again following the July fighting. He has called for armed resistance against Juba.

President Kiir on Wednesday expressed concerns about rising cases of hatred and ethnic divisions in the country and alleged spread of negative propaganda against the international community, "especially the American people and the UN."

Tens of thousands of South Sudanese have been killed and more than 2 million displaced since December 2013, according to the UN. Endit