Kiir: Conflict will be resolved via talks SHARE BOOKMARKPRINT<http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Kiir--Conflict-will-be-resolved-via-talks-/-/2558/2160304/-/view/printVersion/-/nj2m13/-/index.html> RATING
Posted Saturday, January 25 2014 at 17:37 IN SUMMARY - Now that people have fought, we must return to our senses and reason together in order to resolve this conflict. It is the best way of resolving conflicts. The negotiating teams in the conflict reached an agreement and signed a ceasefire on January 23. I want to send my gratitude to the two teams and I'd like them to double their efforts to do the rest of the work. About the release of the detainees, they will have to ensure that it is done according to the law. This is the position of our government. The parties negotiating must put the interests of the people of South Sudan above their own instead of wasting time on things that do not promote the unity of the people of South Sudan. The Igad mediators have done a good job. South Sudan was born as a result of their mediation during the long conflict between Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. The efforts of Igad supported by international partners made it possible for the CPA to be reached, and that brought the Independence of South Sudan. We appreciate their efforts. I am pleased to tell the people of South Sudan that the conflict that erupted in December will be resolved through dialogue and not by military means. It is something that can be discussed and agreed upon. Now that people have fought, we must return to our senses and reason together in order to resolve this conflict. It is the best way of resolving conflicts. I want to assure the people of South Sudan that government will do its best to ensure that this conflict is brought to an end in the shortest time possible so that we stop the suffering of our people. Many people have been displaced and we want them to return to their homes. I also want to tell the side led by Riek Machar and especially the youth who have been christened "The White Army," that fighting will not solve this problem. I would like to thank the international community for all it has done for us, particularly the UN Mission in South Sudan. It has been and is still helpful to the people of South Sudan. The misunderstanding that happened between its staff and some of our people does not mean that South Sudan is hostile to the UN. *Violence against UN* However, there has been a trend of violence against the UN staff. I want the Minister of Defence to control whoever is under his command and to refrain from any attacks. The same applies to the Ministry of National Security. Members of the national security have been accused of interfering with the UN system. These three ministers must control their organisations. If this is done, I don't think that the UN will feel threatened in South Sudan. Police, be a friend of the people. Wherever you come from, whether you are a foreigner or a national, your best friend is the police and the security forces. All these people must ensure that all foreigners, be they in the UN or other NGOs or business people staying in South Sudan feel protected by the security forces of this country. *These are edited excerpts of the remarks made by the Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, in response to the signing of the ceasefire agreement on January 24* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14oo1bh4A1WVkg41ydOuB9y%3DV%2BPuuSe-M-hhuTpACmT5NOw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
