President Salva Kiir has praised the peace progress between the Dinka and Nuer communities that have had ethnic tensions in the past.
In a televised interview with Kenyan TV station, Citizen, President Kiir told the Jeff Koinange—a Kenyan anchor— that he had been impressed by the peace progress between the two communities.
Kiir, who hails from the Dinka community, said most of the sources of insecurity now stem from criminal incidents but not ethnic animosities that led to widespread deadly violence like in recent years.
First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, who had been at war with president Kiir hails from the Nuer community. But after the signing of the 2018 peace agreement, the head of state said there is peace in the communities and border tensions are no longer a course for alarm.
He said: ‘‘He [Dr Machar] comes from Unity State and I come from Warrap. These are the two bordering states. They don’t have any problem. The crimes are everywhere. A criminal from Nuer can cross the border and commit any crime that he wants to commit, either he takes the cows or he kills people.
‘‘The same thing can be done by a Dinka man from Warrap or state of Dinkas and can cross to Nuer districts and commit whatever crime he wants to commit.’’
‘Not returning to war‘
The president expressed confidence and fears in equal measure, saying there are limited chances of going to war, and if there could be a relapse then it would be an unfortunate construction of power-hungry elements.
‘‘There are people who are still bloodthirsty who would like to see people die in South Sudan. I don’t subscribe to that. I think it will not happen,’’ he remarked, and went on to add that ‘‘if South Sudanese accept themselves to stay in peace, in 10 years, South Sudan will be a great country’’.
In January 2021, Kiir presided over the mediation talks to put an end to a conflict that seized Greater Pibor Administration and Jonglei State. Then, he issued a warning that he would no longer mediate intermittent conflicts if involved communities would not embrace peace. South Sudan is celebrating the 10th commemoration of independence with a reflection on the steps made in the peace efforts to ensure the stability of the country.