African Union or AU Commission Chairperson on Wednesday welcomed President Salva Kiir Mayardit signing of the Compromise Peace Agreement in Juba to resolve the conflict in South Sudan.
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma ins statement on Wednesday, said the event represents a critical step to end the conflict that broke out on December 15, 2013 and the untold violence inflicted on the civilian population.
She called on all the South Sudanese parties to carefully abide by its terms, faithfully implement its provisions, open a new chapter and live up to the expectations of their long suffering people.
Dr Dlamini reiterated AU’s commitment to fully support the implementation process and its determination alongside IGAD and other international stakeholders to ensure that all its provisions are adhered to.
The AU Commission Chairperson underlined the need for continued and enhanced international engagement in support of the full and faithful implementation of the Agreement.
She expressed AU’s gratitude to all concerned international partners for their important contribution to the peace process and support to the African-led mediation efforts.
Dr Dlamini said the presence of Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh of Sudan at the signing ceremony is a further testimony to the unwavering commitment of the region to peace and its solidarity with South Sudanese.