Deputy President William Ruto in talks with the special representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs Ambassador Zhong Jianhua at his office. April 4th, 2014 Picture Daniel Onyancha/DPPS
Kenya is committed to the realization of peace in South Sudan and will pursue all efforts in making the IGAD sponsored peace process succeed.
Speaking in his office when he met with the special representative of the Chinese Government on African affairs ambassador Zhong Jianhua, Mr. Ruto noted that President Kenyatta has visited South Sudan several times to broker peace the latest being two weeks ago when he tried to bring the warring parties together.
Mr. Ruto expressed optimism that the peace process will succeed but appealed to the protagonists in the crisis to engage in face to face talks to hasten the process.
He appealed to South Sudan President Salvar Kiir Mayardit and the former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to engage in the face to face talks so as to resolve some of the sticky issues that are holding the realization of peace in Africa’s newest nation.
“It will be difficult to realize peace in South Sudan without the President and Riek Machar engaging in face to face talks,” he added.
Deputy President William Ruto receives the special representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs Ambassador Zhong Jianhua at his office. April 4th, 2014 Picture Daniel Onyancha/DPPS
The Deputy President observed that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) sponsored peace process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia had slowed down noting that other than the ceasefire and allowing of the IGAD peace monitoring group in South Sudan, there were still unresolved issues that were holding realization of total peace in that troubled country.
Mr Ruto commended the government of South Sudan for releasing seven political detainees following Kenya’s intervention, adding that the move had contributed immensely to the calm and peace being observed.
Said Mr. Ruto: “We need to rethink and re-engineer the process, we appreciate diplomatic efforts including from friendly countries like China in supporting the peace process in south Sudan.”
The Deputy President pointed out that Kenya has been involved in the South Sudan peace process for the last 40 years culminating in the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that brought about South Sudan’s independence.
He said: “Kenya is a guarantor to the CPA and has appointed General Lazarus Sumbeiywo to mediate among the warring parties and ensure normalcy returns to South Sudan.”
Ambassador Zhong Jianhua who was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said China supports the peace process in South Sudan and would wish to see speedy conclusion to the crisis.
April 4, 2014 / DPPS