South Sudan faces uncertain future as peace deal on the brink of collapse

JUBA - South Sudanese people may wait a little longer before a lasting solution to the civil war in the country is cemented by the international community and regional powers.

For over six years, the country's independence has been eclipsed by frequent political feuds, ethnic violence, rape, and torture, with thousands remaining displaced.

President Salva Kiir, who led the country to independence from Khartoum in 2011, has struggled to quell the violence, losing a large portion of the support to his former Vice President Riek Machar.

But despite their differences which culminated in a civil war, the protagonists agreed to form a grand coalition government by November 12th this year.

However, the plans could collapse after Machar called for a six-month delay, accusing President Kiir of 'dishonesty and non-commitment'.

“It’s not rocket science that the government in Juba lacks the political will to implement the peace deal,” Machar’s spokesman Puok Both Buluang said on Wednesday.

He called on the government to release funds it had agreed to spend on rolling out the accord. The extra six months would “give room” for resolving issues, he added.

Despite the latest standoff, Kiir on Friday exuded confidence in the formation of a new government amid pressure from the international community and regional powers.

“I want to welcome (the opposition) and forget all the bitterness,” said Kiir, who is also struggling to contain tribal militia and corruption in government.

Among contentious issues include the amalgamation of security forces and fresh demarcation of boundaries in South Sudan.

United Nations Security Council visited Juba a fortnight ago to cement the formation of a unitary government. The team met both Machar and Kiir amid the latest quagmire.

The Security Council delegation acknowledged that progress has been made since then, with a ceasefire significantly improving the security situation.

“We noted the reduction of political violence which has contributed to the return of 594,000 displaced people, increased food production, enhanced humanitarian access, and increased commerce among communities,” said Jerry Matthews Matjila, the South African ambassador to the UN and Council president for October.

For almost three years, Machar fled South Sudan and was hosted in South Africa. His team, however, continued with the onslaught against Kiir's government, leading to the death of dozens.

It took three intervention of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga to persuade him to return to Juba in September. Odinga had been dispatched by IGAD to South Africa for the mission.

The political crisis in Juba besides resulting in deaths and displacement of people has precipitated runaway corruption, violation of human rights and ethnic animosity.

Kiir recently canceled a multi-million oil deal that he had penned with a private company that reportedly supplied goods to the military. Civil groups in South Sudan had accused him of abetting corruption.

Reporting by Abuga Makori in Nairobi; Editing by Omar Nor

GAROWE ONLINE