February 17th 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – A top United States diplomat in South Sudan has welcomed the decision by President Salva Kiir to return the country to 10 states describing the surprise move by the South Sudanese head of state as an “important compromise.”
Kiir on Saturday decided to response to an opposition demand to return the country to its original ten states but created three administrative areas which has been criticized by Machar’s SPLM-IO as well as other opposition groups.
“Compromise is possible when the political will exists. We urge all parties to reach out and embrace each other’s positions so that the peace deal can be fully implemented,” David Shearer, the Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said in a statement today.
Shearer further urged the parties to form the revitalized unity government and hammer out any other issue regarding the number of states such as the creation of new administrative areas which has been rejected by the government.
“The formation of an inclusive transitional government will inspire greater trust and confidence amongst citizens that the peace process will succeed and that the parties will come together to make decisions collectively,” he said.
“The start of the transitional government will pave the way for elections in three years’ time. This will enable the people of South Sudan to fully participate in the democratic process – a right they have been looking forward to exercising since they won independence nine years ago,” he added.
“It may not be the preferred option of some people. However, they should also recognize it has been done in the spirit of compromise to secure durable peace for the whole country.”
