Museveni warns South Sudan leaders on violence

President Yoweri Museveni has advised the ruling South Sudan party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), to employ dialogue rather force when dealing with internal and external contradictions.

"The use of violence in every situation is dangerous. It should be of last resort and specific. Speak frankly within the [SPLM] party. Reach decisions by voting or by consensus. Never use force," Museveni said this morning at the swearing in ceremony of the South Sudan national dialogue steering committee in Juba, South Sudan.

Museveni, who was invited by President Slava Kiir, also urged key stakeholders in South Sudan to silence the guns, desist from tribal and ethnic fights and rather focus on building investor confidence to pave way for the development of the youngest country on the African continent.

"You have to be mindful of the private sector. They don't like wars," Museveni was quoted by several media platforms .

The committee that will steer the national dialogue was sworn-in on Monday at the Freedom Hall in Juba by John Gatwech, the deputy Chief Justice of South Sudan.

The steering committee, which has been tasked to kick-start national dialogue and building, will be co-chaired by Angelo Beda and Justice Abel Alier.

Commenting on the dialogue, Kiir called for a ceasefire and also asked the delegation of his rival, Dr. Riek Machar, the former Vice President of South Sudan, to join the national dialogue process that the country has opened.

"The opposition forces are invited to come and participate. As a gesture of goodwill, I have directed for the review of cases of political prisoners so that they can be released. I call on the opposition leaders to embrace the spirit of national unity and join dialogue," he said, calling upon security forces to provide a conducive environment for people to participate in the national dialogue.

"I am once again declaring a unilateral ceasefire and direct SPLA commanders to observe it," he added.

President Museveni commended his counterpart, Kiir, for the initiative of national dialogue, which is likely to end years of conflict that started in December 2013. The conflict in South Sudan has also seen thousands of citizens flee to Uganda as refugees.