South Sudan president implementing peace deal ‘solidly’ — Hamdok

JUBA — Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok who was in Juba for a two-day state visit has praised President Salva Kiir Mayardit for ‘moving solidly’ in the implementation of the country’s revitalized peace agreement.

Hamdok made the remarks during a meeting with Kiir in Juba on Thursday in which he said South Sudan leaders, Kiir in particular, have played against all odds in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“Mr. President, if you look back to three years ago, the whole world was gambling that South Sudan would collapse and the peace agreement would not be implemented,” Hamdok said during the meeting with Kiir.

“Today, you are moving solidly to implement the agreement. So, we commend you and commend your leadership. No peace agreement will pass without challenges, but I am sure with resolve and determination, you will be able to overcome them and we are here to support in the context of the IGAD and context of Sudan.”

Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny signed a revitalized version of a 2015 peace agreement in September 2018. The peace deal ended a seven-year-old conflict in February 2020 with the appointment of Machar, the leader of the main armed opposition group SPLM-IO, as First Vice President.

However, observers and International community have expressed fears that the peace agreement may collapse given lack of will to implement most important provisions of the agreement by the parties.