A peace agreement has been officially signed in the South Sudan capital, Juba, by the government of Sudan and a coalition of armed opposition under the banner of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (RSF), among others.
The signing, held at Freedom Square in Juba, South Sudan, was witnessed by South Sudanese Chief Mediator, Presidential Adviser, Tut Gatluak; Ethiopian President, Sahle-Work Zewde; Somali President, Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed; President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelph; President of Chad, Idriss Déby Itno among representatives of the African Union and the United Nations.
The latest peace agreement lauded as a milestone in Sudan’s long road to peace and stability has seen Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan and Darfur enjoy self-autonomy during the transitional period.
The comprehensive peace agreement was signed by Prime Minister of Sudan, Abdallah Hamdok, and major armed opposition groups from Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Armed factions led by Abdel Wahid Nur and the SPLM-North rebel group led by Abdel Aziz Adam al-Hillu declined being signatory to the accord.
Both rebel factions refused to be part of the signing on grounds that the Sudan Revolution for change has been compromised by the army.
These opposition groups request that some keys leaders such as Sudan deputy President, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagolo, be excluded from the peace agreement due to alleged human rights violations and war crimes in Darfur in the past.
The deal sets out terms to integrate rebels into the security forces, be politically represented, and have economic and land rights. A new fund will pay $750 million a year for 10 years to the southern and western regions.
A chance of return for displaced people is also guaranteed.
Aware of the challenges inherent in the implementation towards a peace roadmap, Sudanese leaders pledged to give the implementation their best shot. Prime Minister of Sudan, Abdallah Hamdok says ‘peace will open broader horizons for development, progress, and prosperity’.
Meanwhile, an official website for the South Sudan Presidency has been launched today in Juba. The site is integrated with social media platforms to foster improved communication with the public and outside world.
