July 13th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Khartoum Declaration which was signed in June by South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit, and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon is unlikely to last, Andrew Edward a researcher at King’s College said.
Edward said the South Sudan’s leaders, regional partners, the international community, and the Troika (Norway, the UK, and the US), need to shift from a short-term approach to a more sustainable one.
“The Khartoum Declaration which was signed in June was a promising start but those who know South Sudan well, will know that it’s unlikely to last. The peace deal should ensure that every kind of violence is recognised and dealt with to the full extent of the law South Sudan’s leaders, regional partners, the international community, and the Troika (Norway, the UK, and the US), need to shift from a short-term approach to a more sustainable one,” he said.
He said efforts by the region and the international community should consider important aspects of the conflict for example South Sudan’s lack of political capacity and.
“This should take several things into consideration including South Sudan’s lack of political capacity, the country’s political and ethnic grievances, its lack of institutions, and the general failure of long term conflict mitigation efforts,” he said.
Edward said South Sudan’s leaders must publicly discuss the root causes of the conflict.
“For peace to hold, international mediators and South Sudanese leaders must openly discuss the root causes of the conflict. A report released by the Secretary-General on Conflict Related Sexual Violence, through the United Nations Mission in Sudan documented 577 cases of sexual violence in 2016. A February 2018 UN Human Rights Commission report collected evidence against more than 40 officials whom they believe are accountable for war crimes (including sex crimes). Since the release of the report no one has been held accountable,” Edward said.
He said moves like the South Sudan government’s extension President Salva Kiir’s term for three years will only undermine peace talks and agreements with opposition forces adding that Peace in South Sudan cannot be achieved unless violations against civilians are met with a willingness to prosecute those found guilty of crimes against humanity.
