![President Salva Kiir during the opening of the 8th army command council at Bilpam. [Photo by Presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/318330430_1203712980256759_5350651974068156197_n.jpg?resize=960%2C540&ssl=1)
The South Sudanese head of state made the remarks during a joint press conference with Pope Francis who arrived in the country in the afternoon on Friday.
Visiting the country with His Holiness are the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, and Dr. Iain Greenshields.
“We will remain committed until peace is firmly consolidated in South Sudan,” Kiir said.
Kiir reaffirmed parties’ commitment to work together in the spirit of dialogue to overcome the challenges facing its implementations.
“But what is important is that we as the parties to the agreement are working together in the spirit of dialogue to overcome the challenges before us,” he said.
“I am aware of the huge expectations regarding the implementation of this peace agreement. I know that not everyone is satisfied with a phase of the R-ARCSS implementation,” he added.
On August 4, 2022, the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement extended the transitional period which would have ended this month for additional 24 months.
The country under the previous arrangement was supposed to hold a national election at the end of the transitional period in 2023, but after the extension, elections will be conducted in December 2024.
Kiir said they will use the extension to fast-track the implementation of pending tasks in the 2018 peace deal.
“I can firmly say that we shall use a roadmap to fast-track the implementation of outstanding provisions in the revitalized peace agreement and to build on the success we have already achieved,” he said.
