Activist wants President Kiir’s peace recognition discarded

JUBA  – A South Sudanese activist in Canada is urging the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) to discard a recognition of peace prize awarded to president Salva Kiir Mayardit on Saturday for his role in helping achieve reconciliation between bitter Sudanese groups.

On Saturday, during the signing ceremony of the final  Sudanese peace deal in Juba, the UPF recognized President Salva Kiir Mayardit for his role in bringing the Sudanese parties who have been in a bloody civil war for almost two decades to the negotiating table.

President Salva Kiir’s security advisor Tut Gatluak, and South Sudan’s investment minister, who have been in the forefront of the Sudanese peace process, were also awarded a recognition.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Sunday night, Gatluke Raet, a South Sudanese activist based in Canada said there was no reason for President Salva Kiir to be awarded such an important recognition because the South Sudanese leader cannot bring peace to his own people.

“Today, Sunday October 4, 2020, the people of South Sudan woke up to the news that the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) awarded President Salva Kiir with a very important recognition of peace,” he said.

“Almost 500,000 people have died, over 5 million displaces, the country is still in crisis, thousands are under UN protection. So, under what achievement President Salva is being awarded that important recognition?” he asked.

The activist who have also launched a petition against the award further urged the UPF to immediately revoke the award.

“Therefore, we, the people of South Sudan, urges the UPF to immediately revoke this award for the sake of the 500,000 people who lost their lives for the last five years, the millions in refugee camps in foreign countries, and the tens of thousands being protected from the regime by the UN within the country,” he further added.