South Sudan President Salva Kiir signs peace deal but with reservations
South Sudan President Salva Kiir. He signed the peace accord but also issued a list of "serious reservations" and warned the deal might not last. AFP PHOTO | ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER
What you need to know:
- The signing ceremony was witnessed in Juba by presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Sudanese government representatives.
- On Wednesday, the rebels announced they had recaptured a town in the volatile Unity State even as Kiir was under pressure to sign the agreement in Juba.
- Kiir will have to consult Machar on all matters regarding national security such as declaration of war and state of emergency.
- Last week, a group of Machar’s commanders said they would instead submit fresh demands for negotiations, saying they no longer recognised him as their leader.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has finally signed the Compromise Peace Agreement, even though he says he has "reservations" about the peace deal.
The signing ceremony was witnessed in Juba by presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Sudanese government representatives.
Kenya’s Presidency announced through its Twitter handle that Mr Kiir had inked the agreement just two minutes to 5pm on Wednesday.
“President Kiir has officially signed the "Compromised Peace Agreement on South Sudan" at 4:58pm in Freedom Hall in Juba, South Sudan,” the Kenyan Presidency announced.
With all parties having signed, it will mean an immediate ceasefire for both sides.
Rebels led by former Vice-President Riek Machar had signed the agreement last week in Addis Ababa even though fighting resumed shortly thereafter.
On Wednesday, the rebels announced they had recaptured a town in the volatile Unity State even as Kiir was under pressure to sign the agreement in Juba.
“We have the right to self-defence. We call on the international community to exert pressure on the government to stop the attacks and commit to peace,” James Gatdet Dak, Machar’s spokesman, said on Wednesday morning.
TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
The signed agreement means a new transitional government to last 30 months should be in place in 90 days.
Kiir would take 53 per cent of the positions in the government, Machar’s side 33 per cent while former detainees and other political parties should take seven per cent each.
It also proposes the existence of two commanders-in-chief during the transition period until the two forces are unified.
If the agreement is implemented, Riek Machar will become the First Vice-President as Kiir retains the presidency.
Kiir will have to consult Machar on all matters regarding national security such as declaration of war and state of emergency.
But the two principals must now deal with splinter groups, who threaten to derail peace efforts.
Last week, a group of Machar’s commanders said they would instead submit fresh demands for negotiations, saying they no longer recognised him as their leader.
The deal was the result of efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Igad, a regional bloc of eight countries including South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.
