EU warns slow implementation of peace pact fueling violence in South Sudan

By Deng Machol

The slow implementation of the peace deal in South Sudan is unravelling and fueling violence across the country, the European Union’s Head of Cooperation, Wim Vandenbroucke said.

Three years of a transitional government, part of the deal, brought together warring parties and key among their goal is the security arrangement which includes the harmonization of the army with former rebels.

Delays in the security arrangement is seen resulting in the country entering a new period of extreme violence and insecurity due to the proliferation of armed groups across the country.

According to Vandenbroucke, the concern is on the slow progress of the 2018 deal which has given room to peace spoilers.

The South Sudanese elites and people have an absolutely solution to implement the peace deal and end the country’s conflict and sub – national violence, he said.

The deal, signed in 2018 by President Salva Kiir and his former rival and now Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has silenced the gun after six years of fighting which left 400,000 people dead and displaced four million others.

 “The peace agreement is needed to be in all parts of the country and to deter the violence there,” Vandenbroucke said.

“The real solution is at the hands of the people that created the violence.”