UNMISS WELCOMES THE SIGNATURE OF A PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SSDM/A AND THE GOVERNMENT

JUBA, South Sudan, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) welcomes the signature of the agreement reached in Addis Ababa on 9 May between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (Cobra Faction) on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Greater Pibor County, Jonglei State.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the Mission in South Sudan, Ms. Hilde F. Johnson recalls that only six months ago, prior to the current national crisis, Pibor County was the epicentre of instability in South Sudan, and the conflict between the SSDM/A and the Government was the focus of international attention. The SRSG commends the Church Mediation Team for facilitating the peace agreement and congratulates the parties for ensuring the peace and stability that has prevailed in the Greater Pibor County since they started the peace dialogue last year. “I would like to thank the negotiators as well as the religious leaders for their efforts in stopping the violence, bloodshed and suffering of the citizens of Pibor County” the SRSG commended. “This agreement will lay the foundation of a durable peace for all the people and communities of Pibor and surrounding counties. I ask them and their leaders to turn this agreement into swift action” the SRSG added.

Yesterday, the Church Mediation Team accompanied by representatives from the Office of the President and UNMISS visited Gumuruk and handed over the original copy of the agreement to the leadership of SSDM/A in Gurumuk. Hundreds of civilians warmly received the visiting delegation; they seemed to be excited about the peace agreement.

UNMISS stands ready to support the full implementation of the peace agreement and calls on all international development and humanitarian partners to provide assistance that will enable the Government and the people of the Greater Pibor County to address the root causes of the longstanding instability, including the delivery of basic services and other peace dividends.

The SRSG takes this opportunity to reaffirm the steadfast commitment of UNMISS to the people of South Sudan, and expresses her hope that the Government and the SPLA/In Opposition can follow suit and also reach a peaceful solution to the wider national conflict which continues to cause untold suffering to the people of South Sudan.