Dec 15, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s First Vice President, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/A in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, commemorates the 7th Anniversary of the Juba massacre of the ethnic Nuer nationality that commenced on December 15 and ran for at least one week.
In his writing, Machar recognizes that the December 15-22, 2013 massacre of the Nuer people in Juba has triggered a five-year vicious war that resulted to untold suffering that has displaced over 5 million people to the refugee camps in the neighboring countries.
“I am commemorating in Juba the week of December 15-22, 2013 massacre, which triggered the five-year vicious war that resulted to untold suffering to our people including destruction of livelihoods and property, mass internal displacement and over five million citizens forced to take refuge in the neighboring countries and in the wider diaspora.” Reads part of Dr. Machar’s letter.
“In peace, we are marking this week to remember the dear lives lost in this struggle. Their martyrdom is our freedom.” Machar continued.
In his press release, Machar also discussed the implementation of the peace agreement and he remains positive that the ongoing challenges will be resolved.
“It is now over two years since the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed on September 12″ 2018 and it is also ten months into the start of the transition period.”
“We established the Executive of the R-TGONU on 22 February 2020. I believe, in a day or two, declaration of formation of nine states and local governments as well as the Transitional National Legislature shall be done.” The statement further added.Â
The First Vice President is also optimistic that the controversy over the governorship of Upper Nile State will be resolved.
“I am also optimistic that the government of Upper Nile State and its counties shall be formed before the end of the year.” Machar said.
“With peace prevailing, I am likewise confident that the security arrangements will be implemented.” He added.
Machar further promised that the unification of forces shall gain momentum and unified forces will be graduated soon.
“The first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces will be graduated soon. The implementation security mechanisms are working around the clock to make this graduation possible, although there are some impediments that the R-TGONU will have to surmount” He said.
The leader of the SPLM/A-IO knows that there are delays in the implementation; however, he believes that peace is the strategic option for the country.
“Definitely, there have been many delays in the implementation of the Agreement. There are many reasons for the slow implementation of the Agreement included are the fall of oil prices resulting to lack of funding of the implementation process, the pandemic corona virus and the political will.” Machar added.
“There is no going back to war. Peace is our strategic choice”. He added.
