President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is proud of its ongoing support for the efforts of fellow African countries to emerge from conflict to rebuild and consolidate democracy.
The President returned from a working visit to South Sudan last week.
READ | SA supports efforts for consolidating peace in South Sudan
The northeast African country has emerged from the ravages of civil war to become one of the world’s newest independent nations – a feat that President Ramaphosa said is much akin to South Africa’s own journey.
“Much like our own experience as South Africa, the people of South Sudan were faced with the task of constructing a new nation in the midst of conflict and social divisions, all the while contending with a legacy of racial discrimination and oppression.
“The South Sudanese set out to do so in the face of the most extraordinary, challenges. The incoming government of the newly independent country of South Sudan had to build an economy and institutional capacity from the ashes of their sad past,” he said.
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The President recalled that when internal conflict broke out in South Sudan, South Africa joined the ranks for peace efforts.
These efforts, in part, resulted in the 2018 signing of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which still holds to date.
“It is admirable that the permanent ceasefire continues to hold and that the parties to the agreement have honoured their commitment to end armed conflict and engender national security by seeking to form a united national defence force through the cantonment and training of former combatants.
“This political and legal framework that is being implemented outlines the aspirations of the people of South Sudan to bring a permanent end to armed conflict, consolidate democracy and determine their collective destiny. Included in the agreement are commitments to adopt a permanent constitution and create unified security services,” President Ramaphosa said.
Upcoming elections
President Ramaphosa emphasised that South Sudan now stands at a “crucial point in its journey towards consolidating democracy” with elections expected to be held this year in that country.
“Parties are hard at work to ensure that the necessary preconditions are in place for the holding of elections that are free, fair and credible,” he said.
The President explained that during the working visit to South Sudan, he met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice-President Riek Machar and other South Sudanese political leaders.
“I also met with representatives of the African Union (AU), monitoring bodies and international development organisations. I was glad to see the progress that has been made in the run-up to the elections, including the establishment of a national elections commission and the registration of political parties.
“What is pleasing is that the South Sudanese are working together to address the outstanding issues on the agreed Roadmap as the country advances towards elections. This proves that the adage, 'African solutions for African problems', is truly at work in South Sudan. The best we can all do is to encourage and support the process,” he said.
The President insisted that the African continent and the international community “owe it to a people, who have suffered so much and for so long, to support South Sudan’s journey towards becoming a fully-fledged democracy”.
“Thirty years since we attained our freedom, we are proud of our ongoing support for the efforts of fellow African countries to emerge from conflict to rebuild and consolidate democracy.
“Despite the ravages of a bitter war, South Sudan was remarkably able to emerge and join the community of nations.
“With the ongoing political and material support of the international community, the United Nations, the AU and other countries supporting the peace process, stability, prosperity and a sustainable peace in South Sudan are well within reach,” President Ramaphosa said.
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- SAnews.gov.za
