JUBA, South Sudan, April 27, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The return of Riek Machar to Juba, and his swearing-in as First Vice President today, represents an important step towards formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) and a second chance to reclaim the promise this young nation deserves. We welcome the statements by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar calling for cooperation, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence.
South Sudan’s leaders now need to complete formation of the Transitional Government, fully respect the permanent ceasefire agreement, facilitate humanitarian access to all areas of the country and begin implementing the reform agenda of the peace agreement, according to the timeline established by the parties.
We express our appreciation to Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson, President Festus Mogae, the African Union, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for their efforts to support implementation of the August peace agreement.
