![Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) Ter Manyang Gatwech. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ter-Manyang-photo.jpg?resize=850%2C480&quality=89&ssl=1)
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Manyang, a prominent human rights activist, emphasized the importance of direct communication between Kiir and Machar, urging them to engage in face-to-face discussions rather than opting for violent solutions.
“As a human rights activist, I urge President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to choose dialogue and engage in face-to-face discussions rather than resorting to military solutions,” Manyang said.
“The relative peace we currently have in the country is better than nothing. South Sudan cannot afford to return to full-scale war,” he added.
He warned that failure to manage the internal conflicts could lead to South Sudan being forgotten by the international community.
“Based on my interactions with friends from the international community, Africa, and the Western world, South Sudan will be seen as a forgotten crisis if the leaders do not manage their internal affairs wisely,” Manyang added.
Manyang further emphasized that both Kiir and Machar, as key figures in South Sudan’s peace process, have a direct responsibility to maintain stability in the country.
“There is no military solution anywhere in the world; the only option for conflict resolution is dialogue. It is time for South Sudanese leaders to prioritize the interests of the country over their personal interests.”
Reflecting on the long-lasting impact of the conflict on the South Sudanese people, Manyang stated, “Some of us were born into war, attended school during the war, and got married amidst the conflict, and now our children are still experiencing war. This is not the country we desire. We want a nation where there is the rule of law, human rights, good governance, democracy, and enough food on the table for its citizens.”
Manyang also called on the international community, including the African Union, UNMISS, and other international partners, to intervene in the current situation, which has worsened in recent days.
The situation has become more tense with the recent detention of Machar by South Sudanese security forces, signaling a sharp deterioration in the relationship between the two leaders. This move has escalated fears of renewed conflict, raising serious concerns over the future of the peace agreement that has been fragile since its signing in 2018.
