S. Sudan's peace deal will be music to 1.5 million IDPs

By Simon J. Mone

The peace accord signed in Tanzania’s city of Arusha could have broken the ice on an important process for South Sudan and its neighbours.

This time, it might be a blessing upon 1.5 million Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) in Malakal, Unity State, Bor, Juba, etc. Others are in refugee camps in DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. They are dying to see peace happen back home.

During the unity deal, the body language that the president of South Sudan portrayed left a lot to be desired. He could not afford one moment of a smile. It was as if, “hey, I am the elected head of state. And you must acknowledge this before we can go ahead.”

In contrast, former buddy, now turned adversary seemed to be composed. He grinned. And the little gap between his teeth gave an impression of, “I am happy for the deal to go ahead.” Hopefully the contrast was one of those bad moments.

The IDPs need the deal. And everyone expect to see a breakthrough so that lasting peace happens. This will allow displaced communities to return home.

They have had to face 14 months of complete anguish because actions of selfish face of ethnicity. They are now close to stare at peace. Let the two big bulls of South Sudan who hold the key, unlock the conflict. Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa is on the spotlight.

To provide the round table that should tie the loose ends of the deal. And this particular agreement should break the deadlock on protracted talks.

Both parties have to believe in the agreement to realise a workable agreement. Then fighting will end. Five previous ceasefire agreements were signed. Only for both parties to leave those deals on paper and return to the battle front.

They never believed in those deals and so they have been short-lived. There should be no place for conflict in today’s World. Thanks to Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and those regional bodies who, are in the thick of settling conflicts. IGAD is working hard to make sure Salva Kiir and Riek Machar see eye to eye again.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to use unconstitutional means to grab political power. Rebellion is not anymore an avenue through which selfish groups can snatch power. And South Sudan is not different. Therefore, only one workable peace deal should end civilian suffering.

So this time round, let Riek and Kiir both put pen on the dotted line. It looks poised to go ahead. Since the stage has been set. And 1.5 million pairs of ears are eagerly waiting with keen interest to see it happen.

Anything short of peace will spoil the forthcoming elections. It should now be a major concern for citizens and people living in Southern Sudan. Organisers need peace in order to have successful elections. Populations need this peace so that they can participate. So that they can move freely without being caught out by fighting.

It requires trust, which is not seen at the moment. And this is why ethnic tensions continue. Calls by government for people to go back to their homes cannot be heeded.

Everything hinges on the peace deal. Until it is seen to have been agreed, local people will always be hesitant to return home. Only one thing stands in their way of resuming normal lives. Peace agreement. So let peace happen. It will be music to the ears of 1.5 million IDPs.

And will restore IDPs’ divine right to basic need that has up to now been overridden by war.


The writer is a civil engineer
smone@mail.com