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Thanks to the mediation of neighboring Sudan, President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice-President Riek Machar, signed a key military agreement on Sunday (April 3) as part of the 2018 peace agreement, over which negotiations were stalled. since weeks.
With our correspondent in Juba, Florence Miettaux
Four years following the signing of a peace agreement to end the conflict in South Sudan, the blockages remain numerous and weeks of tension raised fears of a resumption of hostilities. But this Sunday, the peace process seems to have taken a step forward.
One of the key points of the South Sudanese peace agreement concerns the security arrangements, which should have been implemented for more than two years. It is regarding the creation of a unified army, which is at the heart of the peace agreement, but also a source of blockages. Salva Kiir and Riek Machar might not agree on the composition of the command structure of the unified armed forces.
This is today done. The provision signed this Sunday provides that 60% of the command posts go to Salva Kiir’s camp and 40% to the opposition. Appointments must take place in less than a week. ” It’s a compromise in the name of peace said Puok Both Baluang, a spokesperson for Riek Machar. The latter wanted the opposition to occupy 50% of the command posts.
The signed agreement further provides that following the formation of this new command structure, the unified armed forces must graduate within two months. The text also calls on the signatories to respect the ceasefire and provides for regular meetings between the parties to “ build trust ».
