President Uhuru Kenyatta was among IGAD leaders who helped narrow down the differences between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar on Thursday.
Regional leaders are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to help restore peace in Africa’s youngest nation where civil war broke out in 2013.
Kiir and Machar
disagreed in less than two years after South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
The two met for the first time in two years since they fell out. They
shook hands as a sign to cessation of hostilities at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace talks.
"INVOLVE CITIZENS"
Uhuru asked the leaders to build on the current momentum by mobilising their citizens to support the implementation of the peace agreement.
The President, who is the rapporteur of the IGAD peace process, noted the deal is fundamental to the creation of an environment that would make South Sudan stable and prosperous.
Saying security is the foundation for development, Uhuru called on the IGAD Council of Ministers and the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan to engage the parties within a fortnight and help them iron out their issues.
“Of great important is to ensure that the governance issue is not left as a preserve of the political elite. It must be inclusive and be owned by the citizenry,” he said.
“My earnest call to the people of South Sudan is to truly own the peace process and genuinely work towards narrowing down the differences.”
Uhuru further urged all political actors and stakeholders in South Sudan to desist from issuing inflammatory statements or engaging in actions that could incite violence.
“Over time, our efforts have been eclipsed by the use of violence, giving credence to the call for punitive measures against perpetrators."
"RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAWS"
The President noted the conflict has led to a protracted humanitarian crisis afflicting millions of South Sudanese people. He urged all parties to respect international humanitarian laws by allowing unfettered access to aid workers.
“I urge all the parties to] take responsibility of protecting civilians and institute measures to ensure that humanitarian convoys and workers have access to all those in need in every part of the country,” he said.
"HANDSHAKE A LESSON"
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is also the chairperson of IGAD, said time has come to act tough on those fuelling hostilities.
“Those perpetuating hostilities must be told that what they are doing is wrong. The crisis in South Sudan is affecting all regional states and that’s why it has to come to and end,” Abiy said and warnedthe parties about sanctions
if they try to derail peace efforts.
Saying IGAD has the legitimate mandate to resolve South Sudan crisis, the Prime Minister urged all member states to have a common approach in resolving the conflict.
He said the crisis in South Sudan has taken too long to resolve due to lack of political will among key stakeholders.
African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki said South Sudan citizens have suffered for long and that his organisation will ensure sustainable peace.
IGAD Executive Secretary Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim pointed out that Uhuru and Opposition leader Raila Odinga were recognised globally for deciding to work together.
“The handshake made in Kenya has been infectious globally- North Korea and the United States and closer home – South Sudan,” he said.
Also present were Presidents Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Somalia).
The international community has piled pressure for regional leaders to crack down on South Sudan elite who are investing ill-acquired wealth.
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