Violence, insecurity continues to plague South Sudan communities amid the 2018 peace deal that aimed to end 6 years of deadly civil war.
Speaking during the opening session of the reconstituted Parliament on Monday, President Kiir directed security forces to provide adequate security for the safety of citizens and returnees.
“Ending insecurity in our country is a key to our progress, we all know insecurity can undermine peace and create chaos that prevents genuinely debate on the future of the country,” Kiir said yesterday in Juba.
He called on the cabinet of ministers, community leaders, and members of civil society to work together to find lasting solutions to the issue of insecurity in the country.
“Unless we solve the issues of insecurity, South Sudan will not be peaceful, our economy will not grow and our people will remain underdeveloped,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to restore peace and stability to pave way for the return of displaced persons and refugees.
“We still have people in displacement camps in neighboring countries and there are also internally displaced persons in our country who need to be assured of their security in order to return to their areas,” he stated.
The head of state urged the lawmakers to use their oversize functions to design programs that will support the return of displaced persons and refugees.
“The same oversize functions should be directed to security forces to provide adequate security for the safety of those returning to their homes. These steps are necessary to provide a conducive environment for reconciliation and healing among our people,” he stressed.
“It is only after the displaced persons have returned to their ancestral land that we can say we have total peace in our country,” he added.