South Sudan Info.Min. and RTGoNU spokesperson, Michael Makuei talks to Eye Radio in Juba -October 23, 2020 | Credit| Lou Nelson/Eye Radio

The spokesperson of the Transitional Government of National Unity has called for patience among the public as the parties implement the revitalized peace agreement.

Michael Makuei reiterated the government’s commitment to the 2018 peace deal.

“I’m here to assure the people of South Sudan that the government is working hard to ensure that we bring peace to the people of South Sudan,” he said.

There have been concerns over the slow pace of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

International partners, civil society activists have often urged the parties to the peace deal to pick up the pace.

Religious leaders have also insisted that the insecurity in the country can be resolved through the implementation of the security arrangement that is lagging.

But Makuei stated that the government’s goal is to “bring peace that is durable and lasting, the peace that is not fragile, the peace that will not take us back to war.”

The Minister also called on those opposed to the government not to desire the downfall of the government through international sanctions and creating instability.

He appealed to opposition groups to embrace peace.

He said: “let us sit down as brothers and sisters of this country, discuss in good faith and we will find solutions to our problems.”

There have been reports of clashes between factions of the SPLA-IO in Magenis in Upper Nile state, and ongoing violence in Tambura County of Western Equatoria state.

Michael Makuei stressed it is time South Sudanese embrace peaceful coexistence.

“Our [solutions] must be homegrown, they should not be left to others to come and decide for us.”

The unity government is also yet to embark on the reconstitution of the state assemblies, independent commissions, and the development of a permanent constitution.

Other pending provisions in the agreement include economic sector reforms, including the formation of women and youth enterprise funds, and the repatriation and reparation for people affected by the war.

South Sudanese have accused the coalition government of relying on aid organizations to provide services, while the elites squander millions of dollars.

But Makuei affirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations as per the peace deal.

“The government will continue to work for you to bring peace so that our people do not go back to war,” he concluded while speaking in Juba on Wednesday.