South Sudan – Kiir calls for Ceasefire in Sudan, DRC

By Mamer Abraham, Juba, South Sudan

South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged conflicting parties in Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo to lay down arms.

He said this during his speech in commemoration of South Sudan’ 13th independence anniversary. According to him, the conflict in Sudan has a direct impact on the economy of South Sudan.

Kiir said: “It is no secret that the war in Sudan has negatively contributed to the decline in South Sudan oil production and has negatively affected our economy. Therefore, I urge the warring parties to halt hostilities and give peace a chance and to silence the guns and go back to the regional and international peace mediated efforts.”

He also urged the parties involved in the conflict to resort to dialogue, because peace and stability means in a bigger picture saving the lives of the Sudanese people who have fallen victims of the raging war.

In his words: “I call upon the two sides to work to restore peace and to seek sustainable solutions to the conflict through peaceful and political dialogue because it is a question of the lives of the Sudanese people who are suffering across the country from consequences of the conflict.”

The head of state promises to use his East African Community chairmanship to restore peace and stability in Democratic Republic of Congo

“To demonstrate my commitment to regional peace and security, I wish to use this occasion to voice my concern on the ongoing conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is threatening regional peace and stability,” he reiterated.

“The East African Bloc under my chairmanship must urgently increase its efforts to de-escalate and decrease tensions so as to promote dialogue and to support the initiative under the East African Community.”

The conflict in Sudan started in April 2023 between Sudan Armed Forces and Paramilitary Rapid Support forces in a quest for a civilian rule. Several mediation processes and ceasefires have been signed, however, the conflict is escalating leading to massive displacement, loss of lives and property and critical humanitarian crisis.

In October 3, 2020, the Sudan’s transitional government signed Juba peace agreement with several warring factions to amend the 2019 constitutional charter to give equal power to the civil government and the military.