Regional civil society platforms call for cessation of hostilities in South Sudan

The regional Network on Peace and Security (Renops) has called for an immediate end to the war in South Sudan. The call was made on Monday December 15, the day that marked the first anniversary of South Sudan’s civil war. The ongoing conflict in South Sudan between government forces and rebel forces loyal to former South Sudan vice president Riek Machar has left at least 10,000 people killed and about 2 million displaced. Most of the displacements are internal, while refugees are mostly in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. Renops stands with the South Sudanese citizens in demanding for cessation of hostilities and an inclusive peace deal prioritising the citizens rather than belligerents, Christine Muhongerwa, the executive secretary of Safer Rwanda, one of the organisations that form the network, said. Speaking to journalists at a news briefing in Kigali, Muhongerwa said there was need for an international and regional support for truth, justice and reconciliation process to lay ground for South Sudan’s peace and security. “As Rwandans and members of the Great Lakes region, we join the South Sudanese to call for peace in their country and the region in general,” Muhongerwa added. Safer Rwanda is a non-state actor, formed in 2000, to facilitate the implementation of policies that comprehensively address peace, security and development. Rwanda has troops serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) that is working hard to consolidate peace and security in the world’s youngest nation. About 1,700 Rwandan peacekeepers have been deployed, since April 2012, in South Sudan. The latest deployment by Rwanda Defence Forces to South Sudan was in November, of two helicopters–increasing the number to eight with a total of 225 air force officers and personnel. Regional civil society platforms are calling for immediate return to military barracks for the rebel forces, and disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of all armed groups as well as neighbouring countries’ governments to support a people centred peace process. “The situation in South Sudan, also, threatens to affect neighbouring countries in terms of arms trafficking which can later end up in civilian hands in the region,” said Muhongerwa. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Regional civil society platforms call for cessation of hostilities in South Sudan