By Yiep Joseph
President Salva Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace in the country, despite ongoing tensions.
On Wednesday morning, serious gunshots were heard in Rajaf Payam, on the outskirts of Juba, causing panic.
SPLM-IO issued a statement alleging that government forces attacked Rajaf training center. This follows another attack in Wunaliet cantonment site west of Juba the previous day.
The ongoing confrontations between the government and SPLA-IO forces are raising concerns among both citizens and international bodies that the country may slide back into war.
However, while meeting with religious leaders, the head of the state expressed that despite challenges, he will continue to work hard to ensure that peace is attained.
He appealed to the South Sudanese to remain calm and support the government in peacebuilding.
Meanwhile, the religious leaders appealed for an immediate end to ongoing confrontations, urging all parties to the 2018 peace agreement to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation.
Headed by Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan Dr. Justin Badi Arama, the religious leaders called on both the government and Opposition forces to embrace peace for the greater good of the nation.
Badi expressed that the Church will engage all parties, to prioritize peace as their number one agenda, to achieve sustainable peace for the long-term stability of the country.
The clergies appealed to the people carrying arms to denounce conflict, urging them to embrace dialogue, in a bid to prevent the nation from descending into further conflict.
In a display of unity, the President and church’s top leaders prayed for peace, calmness and co-existence as the South Sudanese unite to rebuild the nation.
Meanwhile, on a separate engagement, the African Union(AU) Head of Liaison Office in South Sudan, Joram Biswaro called on South Sudanese to support the leaders in building peace.
In a related development, AU Head of Liaison Office in South Sudan, Joram Biswaro, while meeting the Vice President for Service Cluster, Josephine Joseph Lagu, called on all South Sudanese to Support their leaders.
“We need to uphold dialogue and this dialogue would involve the leaders, President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Machar have to meet and dialogue and deescalate the situation,” Biswaro said.
He appealed to all the parties to push the two leaders to meet and dialogue in order to iron out the misunderstanding and return the peace to its path.
“All the parties and public should rally behind this leader in order to de-escalate the violence i wish the public could listen to the two leaders and cease violence in order for peace to prevail,” he said.
Also, Edmund Yakani called on the leaders to dialogue and resolve political differences.
“This morning (yesterday), we heard a military clash along Juba – Kajo-Keji road or alongside Rajaf. we are worried that the continued use of violence between SPLA–IO and SSPDF is increasing and scaling up,” Yakani claimed.