UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the signature by President Salva Kiir of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, said a statement of the secretary-general’s spokesperson.
“This is a critical and necessary step towards ending the 20 month-long conflict that has devastated South Sudan and subjected its people to unspeakable suffering,” said the statement.
Rebel leader Riek Machar signed the deal last week but Kiir previously refused. The signing of the deal means that the fighting between the forces loyal to the two men will end and Machar will return as vice-president in the world’s youngest state, which broke away from Sudan in 2011.
The secretary-general commended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for its tireless efforts to bring the peace talks to a successful conclusion. He is heartened by the unity of purpose that regional leaders have displayed in seeking an end to this tragic conflict, said the statement.
Ban reminded that “now is the time to ensure that this agreement translates into an end to the violence, hardship and horrific human rights violations witnessed throughout this conflict.”
The United Nations stands ready to support the parties in the implementation of this agreement, in close cooperation with IGAD, the African Union (AU) and international partners, the statement said.
He urged the parties to work in good faith to implement its provisions, beginning with a permanent cease-fire and the granting of unhindered freedom of movement to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and to humanitarian actors working to reach people in need of urgent assistance, it said.
The statement also said that the secretary-general looks forward to the participation of South Sudan’s regional and international partners in the High-Level meeting he intends to convene in the margins of the upcoming General Assembly to ensure sustained support for the restoration of peace and security for the afflicted people of South Sudan.
Clashes in South Sudan over the last 20 months have displaced more than 2.2 million people and have inflicted a great deal of human suffering.
