Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, Kalonzo Musyoka, met with South Sudan’s First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, on Wednesday to discuss the continuing peace process and military unity.
Kalonzo said on social media that “we are all resolved to guarantee the peace and prosperity of South Sudan for today and the future.”
To further participate in the continuing peace process, the Wiper Democratic Movement Leader met with and conducted constructive meetings with the Republic of South Sudan’s Fourth Vice President, H.E. Rebecca Garang, in Juba.
Kalonzo’s objective is to keep pushing for the full implementation of the revived peace accord.
On his arrival in Juba on Tuesday, he was greeted by South Sudan’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Deng Dau Melik.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir publicly selected opposition leader Riek Machar as First Vice President of South Sudan in February 2020.
Kiir also named James Wani Igga as the second vice president, Taban Deng Gai as the third vice president, and Rebecca Nyandeng Garang (Dr. John Garang’s wife) as the fourth vice president through a presidential order.
The parties decided on a new government of 614 members after a deal between the administration and several opposition groupings. There is one president, five vice presidents, 35 ministries, ten deputy ministers, 550 members of parliament, ten governors, and three district administrators.
South Sudan has been mired in a cycle of bloodshed since 2013 owing to disputes between President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Riek Machar.
Several agreements were struck to bring that cycle to a stop. The final accord is for the formation of a united army.
The agreement signed by the President and his Vice President is expected to be one of the fundamental features of the 2018 peace accord.
According to the provisions of the April 3 agreement, the combined forces should have graduated within two months.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, the young country has faced a series of crises, including floods, starvation, interethnic warfare, and political instability.
The UN Security Council decided in March to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in South Sudan for another year, asking for political engagement to avoid the nation from devolving into civil conflict.
The resolution proposed by the United States gained 13 votes in the council, with China and Russia abstaining. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will continue in the world’s newest country until March 15, 2023, according to the extension.
The existing level of deployment will be maintained, with a military ceiling of 17,000 and a police maximum of 2,101.
