South Sudan seeks Nigeria’s assistance in conflict resolution

The government of South Sudan has called for the assistance of Nigerian government in restoring lasting peace in the country.

The South Sudan Charge de Affairs in Nigeria, Ambassador Riek Puok Riek, who made the call yesterday, said his country believed Nigeria has the ability to bring about peace, having achieved similar feat in several other African nations.

The call was coming in the wake of fresh hostilities in the country’s capital city, Juba, last week.

The envoy blamed the violence, which occurred on the heels of Compromise Peace Agreement on the rebels of Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).

He said: “It is to be noted that the Compromise Peace Agreement (CPA) that was signed between the government of the Republic of South Sudan and the rebels of SPLA-IO was implemented and a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) was formed with the leader of the SPLA-IO becoming the first vice president of the republic.

“The government was moving forward with the implementation of the agreement steadily. The opposition, which has become part of the Transitional Government of National Unity, was allocated a sizeable number of portfolios in the cabinet, and we have provided cantonment areas for their soldiers”, Puok stated.

The envoy, however, urged Nigerians in the country, who were attempting to leave South Sudan to be calm as peace has relatively returned.

“Today, businesses have reopened, people are going back to their normal duties and all government institutions are functioning. The international airport is opened and flights have resumed”, he said.

Riek also called on the United Nations Security Council to halt the move towards sending troops to South Sudan, stressing that the country currently has over 12,000 UN troops, well armed and capable.

He said the move would be counter-productive and could lead to over militarisation of the country.

Also, the South Sudan government has urged the UN Security Council to drop the imposition of arms embargo, which it said, would weaken the national army as armed groups and militia will take advantage by creating havoc.