- South Sudan’s president and his deputy signed the deal on April 3rd to unify the command of the security forces, diffusing political tension.
In a significant development, South Sudan’s political rivals have agreed to unify army command. South Sudan’s president and his deputy signed the deal on April 3rd to unify the command of the security forces, diffusing political tension.
It is hoped that the agreement signed in Juba after mediation from neighbouring Sudan will strengthen the fragile peace agreement signed in 2018. The 2018 peace agreement laid the basis for the power-sharing in a government of national unity, formed in February 2020 with Kiir as president and Machar as vice president.
Conflicts between forces loyal to the president and former rebel leader Riek Machar had escalated recently. Political observers had raised their apprehension that the tension between the two groups may lead to full blown conflict. According to the agreement, leadership positions in the army, police and national security forces will be divided, 60% for the president’s camp and 40% for vice-president’s Machar.
Soon after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, after a long battle, South Sudan slid into civil war in December 2013.The hopes for peace and stability after independence were crushed after the ethnic divisions, forces loyal to Mr Kiir started fighting with loyalists of Mr Machar. The challenges still remain, including the government’s failure to implement promised reforms.
Read Also;
https://trendsnafrica.com/south-sudans-peace-process-faces-fresh-challenges/
https://trendsnafrica.com/sudan-and-south-sudan-to-reopen-borders-after-11-years/
