Sep 2, 2015 The United Nations Security Council recently acknowledged that the peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar was only the first step in dealing with the crisis in South Sudan.
Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations therefore called on the parties to fully honor the peace agreement.
“The Security Council acknowledges that this agreement is the first step in reversing the difficult, political and economic situation and humanitarian and security catastrophe resulting from this crisis calls upon the parties with support from the United Nations and international community to fully implement the agreement and reaffirms its unwavering support of the people of South Sudan.” Joy said.
The Nigerian representative went on to stress the need for accountability while acknowledging the efforts of the security personals across the country.
“The Security Council underscores the pressing need to ensure accountability for serious violations and abuses of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Security Council takes note in this regard of chapter five of the agreement. The Security Council further recognizes the work of the African Union Commission of Inquiry, an independent and public human rights monitoring, investigation and reporting and anticipates with interest its findings and recommendations and encourages the public release of the final report as soon as possible on South Sudan. The Security Council renews its deep appreciation for the courageous actions taken by UNMISS personnel and troop and police contributing countries to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians under threat of physical violence and to stabilize the security situation across South Sudan.”
Meanwhile many displaced persons living at the UN camp in Juba have expressed hope that the new developments will see the return of peace to the region.
“We are very happy as people who stay at UNMISS, that the peace was signed yesterday. We have had a lot of suffering in here, so we want the peace to be real,” said an unidentified civilian.
Another displaced person said:
“They brought peace and if they say let us get out of this place, we will get out. But if the peace is still in doubt we will stay but we have lost all of our children and we don’t have youth in our midst. People are just dying randomly – children getting lost every day,”
Some traders said they hope that the leaders will to improve the economy.
“The peace is good because things were really expensive in the market, but now since the peace has been signed, prices of things have started dropping, for example the dollar has dropped, and me as a business man, I got a loss but I am happy even if I got a loss, with time, I will buy commodities with a good price,”