![Vice-president Taban Deng Gai, then rebel chief negotiator, speaking to journalists following talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2014. [Photo by unknown]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/58efaced48dc9.jpeg?ssl=1)
Taban made this call in Bor, the capital of the restive Jonglei state during an inspection visit to check on the progress of Juba-Bor road construction.
The world’s youngest country gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, but Just two years later, it was plunged into a devastating civil war that claimed almost 400,000 lives and displaced 4 million people.
Despite the 2018 peace agreement, the country remains in the grip of political instability, economic ruin, and threats of looming hunger.
Taban pleaded with political leaders from various parties never to return the country to war again.
“One the line we must draw as parties is that we should not take this country back to war at all and we must compete peacefully to catch power,” Taban said.
He stressed the need to unite and reconcile South Sudanese to move the country to achieve lasting peace.
“We participated in face one and now we are again participating in face two and face two is the unification of our people, developing our people and moving this country forward,” he stated.
He called on the politician to create a new spirit of dialogue and togetherness to achieve stability in the country.
“What we need to do is to move this country forward is our unity as politicians because when we are united, we can have peace among ourselves to be able to create a conducive environment,” he stated.
