South Sudan’s warring groups signed a power-sharing deal late Sunday in a bid to put a stop to the civil strife that has belaboured Africa’s youngest nation.
President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President and rebel opposition leader, Riek Machar signed the agreement in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his counterparts from Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, along with foreign diplomats.
As per the deal, the two have a few months to form a transitional government that would be in power for the next three years.
South Sudanese have welcomed the move, with many asking for the quick implementation help overcome the country’s past and chart a way towards peace.
“Of course peace will come, because we’re tired of war,” Juba resident Santino Deng told AP.
Here are some reactions on social media.
I dont celebrate signiture, i celebrate the implementation, if there is need for my support in implemetation i will suport.i call upon the international communities to support south sudan in implemeting the Khartoum Peace Agreement.
— Anthony Uchalla (@AnthonyUchalla) August 6, 2018
Nothing learned. Gov’t national unity never worked in Africa. So why repeat same stupid mistake again and again? For a durable peace in south Sudan you also need an ARBITER and CIVIL SOCIETY at the negotiating table. It takes a village to resolve a conflict, not 2 coconut-heads https://t.co/TB2dfTFfIs
— George Ayittey (@ayittey) August 6, 2018
But even as we sign this agreement, we must reflect deeply on whether it was a just war. We are congratulating ourselves over many dead bodies in South Sudan over the last four years. This is not good. All the actors in this war must ask whether it was a just war. pic.twitter.com/9KhbeeukcZ
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 6, 2018
MACHAR: Somebody said that the devil sometimes is embedded in the implementation. #SouthSudan #IGAD #Kiir https://t.co/EVyrNl1S3j pic.twitter.com/eV9lw7Lcjs
— Louis Jadwong (@Jadwong) August 6, 2018
The two guys that are at the root cause of the conflict agree on power sharing. Solution or double pain for #SouthSudan https://t.co/zsQhGJhvPh
— Malte Brosig (@DrMalteBrosig) August 6, 2018
The two guys that are at the root cause of the conflict agree on power sharing. Solution or double pain for #SouthSudan https://t.co/zsQhGJhvPh
— Malte Brosig (@DrMalteBrosig) August 6, 2018
Fingers crossed for the peace deal in South Sudan. This new country needs a break. #southsudan
— Steve Clark (@Steve_Clark) August 6, 2018
Congratulation 2 the ppl of South Sudan & z warring parties 4 reaching this remarkable limestone for signing z revitalized version of Khartoum’s Agreement. Now, it is a time 4 z agreement to be institutionalized to pave z way for trust building, national healing & reconciliation.
— John Youhanes M. (@YouhanesMagok) August 6, 2018
This peace agreement is a positive step forward. It is much better than the continuation of war. #SouthSudan #SaveTheLastTrain https://t.co/kppPr6XluB
— Akol Miyen Kuol (@AkolMiyenKuol) August 6, 2018
Do we, particularly our leaders, have the same interest to educate, empower and protect our people? We talk a good game in international arenas but then fall very short in executing. #SouthSudan all the fighting just to get back to status quo?
— lasco (@lascoMLI) August 6, 2018
As (northern) Sudanese some of us may be asking ourselves why should peace in South Sudan be important to us. Peace in South Sudan is as important as peace in Somalia, South Africa, and DRC. As Africans, none of us will truly know peace until all of us know peace.
— Kashta Ramey Dawoud (@RealRameyDawoud) August 6, 2018
I still do not understand how two warlords, Kiir and Machar have held South Sudan at ransom as if it is their personal property. Their families are safe in other countries living on laundered oil proceeds while Juba citizens continue to live in misery.
— Heyi Bruno (@MB_Tyger) August 6, 2018
The peace that signed yesterday by #SouthSudan govt and oppositions doesn’t feel like it at all. May be bc all the violations and lack of seriousness from all sides. Besides it is positions peace no accountability for atrocities committed against civilians
— Sir MP (@Chisel_77) August 6, 2018
