Kiir says political competition ‘driven by personal ambition’ to blame for conflict

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday afternoon blamed what he calls internal political competition driven by personal ambitions for power is to blamed for the conflict which erupted in December 2013.

Kiir who was addressing journalists at the ministry of cabinet affairs said he is still keeping his words that he would not return the country, intentionally, to the deadly conflict that killed half a million people.

But the South Sudanese head of state said some challenges needs to be addressed regarding on what has caused the conflict, blaming external factors and internal political competition for power.

“That said, there are challenges we need to confront honestly as a people along with our partners to maintain total peace and bring prosperity to our people. One challenge that has paralyzed our progress is the negative narrative cultivated during the war about the Government,” Kiir said

He said “the same negative narrative has depicted many senior government officials in bad light.”

“For those who followed events in our country, they know that this narrative has external dimension, but it is mostly rooted in our internal political competition, which was and still driven by personal ambition that does not factor the best interest of the country into consideration,” he added.