The African Union has urged Dr Riek Machar to join hands with President Salva Kiir to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement.

The AU special envoy to South Sudan, Alpha Oumar Konare, has expressed confidence that the two leaders can maintain the ceasefire they declared on Tuesday if they work together.

Mr Konare, who is a former President of Mali, says the implementation of the agreement cannot be achieved by one side.

He says a permanent ceasefire can be realized if both President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar work together within the Transitional Government of National Unity.

President Konare was speaking to the press after meeting President Salva Kiir yesterday at the State House, J1.
“This ceasefire must be continued and it must be permanent. All soldiers must follow the instructions given by the President [Kiir],” the enovy said.

“To maintain the ceasefire, we need a common solution with the President and the Vice Presidents. We are confident that we can stop the violence, because if we don’t stop it, it will be catastrophe,” he said.

President Salva Kiir yesterday reassured the AU and the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission of his commitment to work closely with Dr. Machar and maintain the ceasefire.

JMEC Chairperson, Festus Mogae said they are encouraged by the gesture from President Kiir to continue dialogue.

“The President has reiterated to us that he remains open and willing to discuss with all his Vice Presidents and other leaders in this country, and that the solution of course is going to be peace and that he is willing to protect everybody, so that they can again resume the discussions,” Mr Mogae said.

Mr Mogae urges all sides to quickly implement the security arrangement as per the peace agreement in order to restore peace and stability in South Sudan.

Eye Radio’s efforts to reach Dr Riek Machar have not been immediately successful.

But in an interview with the BBC, Dr Riek said he would like Juba to be demilitarized and a third neutral forces takes over the security of the capital.