South Sudanese Vice President backs peace deal, urges fighting to end

Igga, known for his outspoken comments, told South Sudanese lawmakers that there is no alternative to the agreement to address the country’s political and economic challenges which are ruining the poverty stricken nation.

Please let this be the last war, the last conflict.”

“Please let this be the last war, the last conflict,” Igga told the lawmakers. “We can only fight in this country if we are defending this country from foreign invasion […], but not among ourselves. This is totally unacceptable because the issue is not about personalities Wani Igga or X or Y, the issue is the country,” Igga said.

Igga’s briefing on September 22, which lasted for almost two hours explained the detail of the agreement. According to Igga’s briefing, many South Sudanese have been misinformed about the aspects of the agreement.

He urged all lawmakers to throw their weight behind the deal: “I appeal to this house as individuals. If there is anybody who is affected as individual by this agreement please, please stomach it.”

He added that South Sudanese stakeholders will need to help implement the agreement.

Contrary to current misinformation which is being spread that this deal is not a solution to the country’s major problems, Igga said the agreement contains several positive aspects.

“In spite of the gloomy picture of our economy, with the peace agreement now in front of us, if we embrace it, we are going to recover,” Igga said.

South Sudanese leaders signed a peace deal in August but fighting has continued despite a ceasefire that was due to take effect on August 29.

Shortly after addressing the lawmakers, Igga left to New York to attend a UN meeting hosted by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The meeting is in a bid to bolster the Country’s struggling peace accord.

Rebel leader Riek Machar is planning to attend the September 29 meeting, his spokesman has been quoted as saying.

Igga spent most of his time with the lawmakers explaining about the resizing of the military force in Juba and other towns as defined in the agreement, which he says has been misunderstood, as well as outlining the composition of the transitional government and the reintegration of the armed forces.

He also said the agreement contains economic reforms that will help address rampant corruption in the country and will improve the public sector.

Referring to President Kiir’s reservations about the peace deal, Igga added: “Our President has done his part and has also highlighted to the South Sudanese areas that are bitter and of concern […], but is not meant to stop the agreement from implementation.”

Even if this peace agreement is not satisfying everybody, let us go for it for the sake of our people.”

Zakaria Matur, a lawmaker from Lakes State, was among those who said the session boosted their understanding of the peace deal. “If we have a compromise peace agreement, then let us agree to stop fighting for the sake of our people so that our people can have peace again so that they can develop and they can restore their lives,” he said. “Even if this peace agreement is not satisfying everybody, let us go for it for the sake of our people.”

Government and rebels including other stakeholders signed the agreement last month amid mounting international pressure and opposition from some South Sudanese circles. But also even as both warring parties announced cessation of hostilities immediately, there have been counter accusations regarding military attacks from both parties.

Onyoti Adigo, the leader of the opposition in the national parliament, said the government and rebels must first show the political will by silencing the guns and rally nationwide campaign to inform the populace about their commitment to implementing the agreement.

Adigo said the counter accusations from both sides highlight the parties’ lack of political will to embrace peace and implement the agreement. “We need real commitment to the agreement, real political will to accept one another. This language of the rebels, this language of the government being offensive should stop,” Adigo said.