(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has once again called on armed and political groups still outside South Sudan’s peace process to accept dialogue and reconciliation, urging them to join in the effort to restore national unity.
Speaking at the official reopening of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Wednesday after a five month recess, President Kiir said the suffering of South Sudanese people must not be prolonged by continued rejection of peaceful engagement.
“The suffering of our people must not be prolonged by continued rejection of dialogue by the holdout groups,” Kiir said in his national address to Parliament. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the peace process and appealed to remaining factions that have not joined the peace deal.
“I extend my hand for peace once more,” he said. “The doors of peace remain open. I urge all factions outside the peace process to join us on the path of reconciliation, unity, and nation building.”
President Kiir emphasised that peace is essential for South Sudan to move forward, and that a unified national army, formed through the peaceful integration of former opposition fighters, would be key to ensuring lasting stability.
He extended an invitation to opposition forces that are willing to join the peace effort, stating they would be welcomed into the country’s regular armed forces. This approach aligns with ongoing efforts to unify security forces under a national structure, as agreed in the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement.
His remarks come at a critical moment for South Sudan. The country continues to face the consequences of years of civil conflict, political tension, economic struggles and humanitarian crises.
