Kiir renews calls for removal of ‘unjust arms embargo’ as governors’ gathering closes

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday renewed government call for the international committee to removed what he said is “unjust arms embargo”, arguing that those with possible views of the international sanctions against South Sudan should consider external threats to the world’s youngest country.

“We intensify our call for lifting unjustified arms embargo. Let us not allow internal grievances to mislead us from defending our country. In the interest of stopping this deliberate attempt,” the president said during the closing session of the 6^th Governors Forum this evening.

“Today I am joining all of you in calling UN to lift arm embargo on us. To those supporting arms embargo, please do not think our country is not under external threat,” Kiir added.

The South Sudanese head of state further called on the state governors and those heading the administrative areas to help the central government in addressing the vicious inter-communal violence that has been blamed by the international community for continued displacement.

“I am calling upon the Governors and the Chief Administrators with support of the national organs to come up with ways to call off this unending communal violence, for example, what is happening between the communities of Twic and Ngok Dinka of Abyei areas,” he said.

The president further directed the national ministry of finance to disburse at least $10 million to those affected by the devastating floods which has displaced most citizens in Unity, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

ROME PEACE TALKS

The president further revealed that he has invited the Sant’Egidio Community that is mediating between the government holdout opposition groups to the country for further consultation just days after the government decision to suspend peace talks.

“Road ambushes have never stopped from the hold out group and for this reason, we have suspended Rome peace talk until this group show commitment,” he said.

“To demonstrate that we have not closed doors for the talks with this group, we have invited the community of Saint Egidio to come to Juba so that we share our grievances,” the president added.