South Sudan says committed to peace accord with opposition forces

By Tapeng Michael Ohure

South Sudan has maintained it is committed to a peace deal reached with a group of breakaway opposition forces.

The Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak, said the government will go to all peaceful lengths to ensure the country attains full peace and security.

The group which broke away from First Vice President Riek Machar’s forces, called the SPLA/IO Kitgwang faction signed two agreements with the government in January.

They are led by Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual and Gen. Johnson Olony. 

While speaking to journalists at Juba International Airport on Tuesday, on arrival from Khartoum in neighboring Sudan where the deals were reached, Gatluak made a solemn promise that the administration of President Salva Kiir will never return South Sudan to war.

“The Government of South Sudan under the leadership of Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit is committed to peace and stability across the Country,” he said.

“President Kiir doesn’t want the people of South Sudan to die anymore, and that is why he directed us to bring back Kitgwang faction for the sake of peace and development across the country.”

Gatluak arrived in Juba in the company of the governor of Unity State, Joseph Manytuil Wejang.