Event summary
On Wednesday 19th August 2015, the president of South Sudan Salva Kiir confirmed his willingness to sign the peace deal he had earlier refuted on Monday 17th in Addis Ababa.
Analysis
It is possible that Salva Kiir is finalizing negotiations with his allies. Kiir requested for 15 more days on top of the 17th August ultimatum to consult with his political and military officials back home.
Signing of the peace agreement by President Salva Kiir could possibly bring to an end the ongoing strife in Africa’s youngest nation because it would mean satisfaction with its contents and the warring parties’ commitment to abide by its stipulations.
There has been fighting in South Sudan since December 2013 when Salva Kiir accused his then deputy Riek Machar of planning a coup against the government. Since then forces supporting Rek Machar organized themselves into armed rebels and waged war against the equally repulsing government.
Also equally possible an outcome is the mushrooming of other rebel factions from both opposing sides. The peace deal proposes a power-sharing arrangement with his ex-vice-president Riek Machar. This without saying implies that the President will have to do away with some of officials in his government to incorporate former opposition turned rebels. The deal advances reintegration of defected military units.
It also means that some of the displaced officials will obviously leave their positions grudgingly. It would create resentment in the displaced officials who are likely to turn into rebels against the government.
It is of dire importance that South Sudan looks into possibilities of sustaining the peace deal. The government should not leave any loopholes that would plunge the country into a new cycle of civil war stemming from unsatisfied rebels. Possibly, Kiir is looking to see that non in his government will be left disillusioned.
