20170723 Press Release On the Government’s Strategy of Peace through War
The National Salvation Front (NAS) would like to commend the Trioka (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union for their 20th July 2017 joint statement that expressed deep dissatisfaction and disapproval of actions and punitive measures being actively pursued by President Salva Kiir’s regime leading to the proliferation of violence, displacement, food insecurity and more suffering of the people of South Sudan.
Similarly, we commend the statement by El Ghassim Wane, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, also dated 20th July 2017 in which he pointed out contradictions between pledges and promises made by the government of South Sudan (such a s the National Dialogue and the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire) and actual actions on the ground (blocking of news media websites and the assault against the Headquarters of the SPLM-IO in Pagak).
These two statements confirm the position of the National Salvation Front (NAS). In fact, in our Independence Day Message (dated 09th July 2017), the Chairman of NAS, General Thomas Cirillo made it very clear that the current crisis can only be ended through an inclusive just peace process. Kiir’s National Dialogue, the re-unification of the SPLM, and talk of elections are all but unnecessary diversions from the main goals of achieving lasting peace and genuine reconciliation.
A sustainable peace would be achieved in South Sudan if the international community would follow up these declarations with actions that would force the government of South Sudan to cease and desist from its policies that will lead to the unfortunate disintegration of the country. While much is expected from the IGAD as the primary moderator and referee for the peace process in South Sudan, some assurance is needed that IGAD countries act in unison on a common objective – and abandon partiality in dealings with the Government of South Sudan.
We too remain seized of the need for a peaceful solution to South Sudan’s national crises, as we retain the right to self-defence against the regime’s victimization policies and practices.
Long live NAS!
Long Live South Sudan!
Warille Benjamin Warille
NAS Spokesman
23/07/2017
