![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?quality=89&ssl=1)
“I wish to thank the President, H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit for his tireless commitment to peace, leadership and vision for our country’s future and for what we have achieved together and will continue to achieve,” Deng said in a statement on South Sudan’s 10th independence anniversary.
The senior government official further said he “also wish to thank all my colleagues in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) for their outstanding achievements and support.”
This is in contrary to what has been observed by international and regional organizations and even some parties to the revitalized peace agreement that Kiir’s side of the peace implementation had been low and has deliberately refused to fund the implementation of the agreement.
“The 9th of July, is an auspicious occasion which is forever cemented in the minds of our people as the day we successfully achieved the independence of our Great Nation. This year in particular marks an important milestone, as it is ten years since the flag of the Republic of South Sudan was first raised,” Taban added.
“In the face of tremendous skepticism, but with the support of our regional partners, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R- TGONU) signed the R-ARCSS and continues implementing it. Not many trusted that this could be accomplished, but it is a testament to the goodwill demonstrated by the all parties to bring lasting peace to the people of our Great Nation.
“We have taken tremendous strides towards lasting peace to our nation by using the spirit of patriotism as the driving factor. The task ahead is to implement the outstanding areas of the R-ARCSS as this our only our viable option to rebuild and realign our beloved country back on the right track and moving it forward. While this is a national challenge, meeting it must begin at an individual level.”
