What next for South Sudan and its struggling peace process in 2018?

By Deng Vanang, Juba, South Sudan

 

January 18, 2018 (SSB) — The current crisis may still drag on for a long haul than to end anytime soon, at least for the pessimists no matter hardcore or moderate they may be in thinking. Series violations within days the cessation of hostilities was declared is the clearest evidence yet, with each side accusing the other of responsibility.

Also of common concern is the fact that warring parties still muster the combined will, zeal and resources to rumble on with the illicit trade despite the war-weary, suffering and dying civil population in urgent need of peace and valuable property already laid to waste.

With compromised peace mediators and monitors no longer being seen as the honest arbiters to bring about much desire amicable and sustainable solution to the five-year-old crisis in the eyes of South Sudanese pawns of war on all sides. Since some IGAD member states doubling as mediators still view opposition – armed and unarmed – as the threat to their largesse in the war-ravaged country than part of the much required solution.

Rup Community Association response to the open letter from Rumbek Community

To: Government of South Sudan

South Sudanese general public

All Members of Agaar Community Worldwide & all Media outlet in South Sudan

Subject: Rup Community Response to an Open Letter made by Rumbek Community in WA 

RUMBEK YOUTH UNION, swearing in ceremony

January 18, 2018 (SSB) — Pursuant to the position paper released by Rup Community Worldwide (RCW) in December 2017 regarding the fighting between Rup and Pakam and Kuei with subsequent declaration of the state of emergency in greater Lakes state, and in which we have expressed our unreserved  condemnation to the spiral of revenge violence; Rup community worldwide in that document further expressed its unequivocal support to the ongoing government’s efforts in dealing with sectional feuds in Western Lakes State.

Such public position constituted our community firm support to the national government of South Sudan under the leadership of H.E the President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the recent order of disarmament of the armed Youth in the Lakes States.