July 10th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, urged on Monday, in a statement seen by the Nyamilepedia, the South Sudanese leaders to put aside personal differences and interests and take hard choices for the sake of their citizens.
The statement by the top United States diplomat came as the country celebrates, in misery, its seventh independence anniversary. The South Sudan government last week decided to cancel independence celebration for the third time in a row citing financial shortcomings imposed on the world’s youngest nation by the ongoing civil war.
“On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, we extend our best wishes to the people of the Republic of South Sudan on the seventh anniversary of their nation’s independence” Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.
The statement further said that the conflict has imposed immense suffering on the South Sudanese people and that the citizens has been facing life-threatening hunger pointing out that the citizens have paid a big price for the actions of their leaders.
“This should be a day of celebration marking South Sudan’s emergence as an independent state and the beginning of a new era of greater peace and prosperity. Instead, the conflict that broke out in December 2013 continues to impose immense suffering on South Sudan’s diverse citizens. They have already paid a heavy price for their leaders’ divisions: driven from their homes, facing life-threatening hunger, and subjected to unspeakable cruelty” Mike said in the statement.
The statement further calls upon the South Sudanese warring parties to immediately halt the fighting, focus on resolving their differences amicably and begin on a path that leads towards economic prosperity in the country.
“We call upon the Government of South Sudan and all parties to the conflict to immediately stop the bloodshed and genuinely resolve their differences through dialogue that reflects the voices of a broad spectrum of society. Only when the fighting stops can South Sudan begin on a path towards inclusive economic growth and genuine reconciliation,” the statement said.
It said South Sudanese citizens must take hard choices for the survival of their citizens saying the fighting should have been stopped for the 9th July celebration to be realized by all the citizens.
“As talks among the parties continue, we remember the struggle of generations of South Sudanese for a better future. But for July 9 to be a real celebration, the fighting must stop everywhere, and South Sudanese leaders must make the tough choices to put aside narrow self-interest and put the needs of the nation first,” the statement further said.
The statement further reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the friendship of the people of South Sudan and ready to work with the people of South Sudan.
“The United States remains a friend of the South Sudanese people. We stand ready to work with responsible leaders who are willing to deliver the peace, opportunity, and justice the people of South Sudan have long awaited” he said.
