Machar accuses Kiir of violating ceasefire pact

By Raymond Mujuni

South Sudan rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar has criticized South Sudan President Salva Kiir for not honoring a ceasefire agreement signed in Addis Ababa.

In strongly worded press statement issued Monday night, Machar described the attacks by government soldiers on rebel held positions as ‘regrettable’ and called upon the international community to ‘understand the problem’ being faced by South Sudan.

“It is regrettable that the government of South Sudan does not share in this commitment [Peace deal] as they continue to attack rebel held positions in unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states,” reads the statement in part.

“The SPLM-SPLA condemns this violation in the strongest terms,” it adds.
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Fighting in South Sudan entered its six month this May with government forces battling against forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar.

The fighting that started as a shoot-out amongst the presidential guard unit in Juba in December has escalated into a full-blown war displacing over 100,000 people.  

United Nations Mission in South Sudan in its recently released report blamed both sides for crimes against humanity and war crimes and further called for independent prosecution of the parties involved in the violation of rights, an idea that the UN chief Ban Ki Moon has welcomed.

In the statement, Machar also welcomes the move for prosecution of parties involved in the violation of rights.

“The SPLM-SPLA welcomes the report and anyone found guilty of the committing war crimes and crimes against humanity should be prosecuted,” the statement reads.
 
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