Juba, August 9,2018.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has issued an executive announcement extending an amnesty to his political rival, Riek Machar, and to the rebel groups.
Reported on State radio on Thursday, the President announcement comes days after the two leaders inked a power sharing deal in Sudan’s capital Khartoum.
According to State Radio Juba, President Salva Kiir delivered a Presidential decree, pardoning Dr. Riek Machar and other armed rebels who took arms against his government since 2013. The report added that the decree came into effect on 8th, August 2018.
Kiir also called on his loyal forces to observe the ceasefire agreement that was signed and agreed in June between the two sides.
Last month, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) instilled an arms embargo and sanctions on two top military officials to mount pressure on South Sudan’s leaders to turn away from the war and seek amicable diplomatic solution.
Sunday’s power-sharing agreement paves the way for Dr Machar to return to South Sudan as one of five vice-presidents, a role he had deserted and fled following plot coup claims by Kiir’s faction.
The power-sharing deal that was witnessed by East African leaders under IGAD bloc in Sudanese capital Khartoum is, aimed at ending a nearly five-year civil war that has left tens of thousands killed and millions displaced.
