Parties extended the transitional government to keep President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in power for the next two years.
The government said it will conduct elections in December 2024 based on the roadmap to peace implementation in South Sudan.
President Salva Mayardit says the extension of the transitional period will allow parties complete the outstanding chapters in the agreement
Kiir says the country cannot conduct an election which could take South Sudan to war again
“I am not extending the transitional period because I want to stay longer in power but I don’t want to talk the people of South Sudan to an election which will bring back warWe know this transitional government is not what you deserve, but we are trying to make it better” Kiir said.
The President also called the holdout groups (Gen. Paul Malong, Thomas Crillo and Pagan Amum) to come back home and ttttmake the country peaceful.
First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is calling for space that will ensure parties to exercise their activities freely without security threats.
He encouraged the parties to resolves their grievances to allowed smooth implementation of the peace agreement.
Dr. Machar announced the graduation of unified forces to kick off in a month time saying the 53 thousand first badge of the unified army will be graduate and allowed their colleagues joint the training centers.
Representative of Former Detainees, Hon. Deng Alor, the Minister for East African Affairs described the extension as the only chance for South Sudan to achieve durable peace.
He calls on the parties to Unite the people of South Sudan. Hon. Alor regrets the conflict in South Sudan has increased more suffering of the Citizens.
The Minister has appealed to the hold-out group to join the peace implementation and urged the donors to continue to support the peace process.
South Sudan Opposition Alliance welcomes the extension of the transition period. He says South Sudan needs food not guns this time.
The parties signed commitment letter to the implement of peace agreement and roadmap to guide the process.
The extension of the unity government was announced by the parties in Juba on Thursday but some of the international partners not supporting the decision include the United States, the UK, and Norway.