Dr Abdallah Hamdok, during a meeting with President Salva Kiir at J1 in Juba in August 2021 | Credit |

The visiting Sudanese Prime Minister says he is happy that the implementation of the September 2018 peace agreement is progressing well.
Abdallah Hamdok made the remarks during a meeting with President Salva Kiir in Juba on Thursday.

President Kiir, Dr Riek Machar and other opposition leaders inked the deal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, three years ago.

Other regional countries, including the Sudan and Kenya helped broker the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

However, observers say its implementation has been slow due to lack of political will and funding.

But in his view, Prime Minister Hamdok, commended President Kiir for implementation of the peace agreement.

“Mr. President, if you look back to three years ago, the whole world was gambling that South Sudan would collapse and the peace agreement would not be implemented,” he told Kiir.

“Today, you are moving solidly to implement the agreement. So, we commend you and commend your leadership.

“No peace agreement will pass without challenges, but I am sure with resolve and determination, you will be able to overcome them and we are here to support in the context of the IGAD and context of Sudan.”

Violence in South Sudan broke out in July of 2013 when President Kiir fired Machar and accused Machar of staging a coup against him.

These actions created a ripple effect through South Sudan.

The firing of Machar drove anti-government protests, resulting in violent responses by the government using security forces and the military.

In 2018, the Khartoum Declaration was signed between Kiir and Machar, forcing a ceasefire between the two.

This proposal stated that Kiir and Machar would share power throughout the country.

Later on, in February of 2020 Machar was reinstated as first vice president of South Sudan, forming a joint government.

The power-sharing proposal between Kiir and Machar drives hope for peace and unity for the people of South Sudan.

The tension and violence in South Sudan have driven many families into harm’s way. In the year 2020 alone approximately 323,000 people have been displaced.