Remarks by President Uhuru Kenyatta During the High Level Meeting on South Sudan
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Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate and join their celebration following the signing of the Peace Agreement. The Peace Agreement epitomizes a culmination of a long and painstaking journey in search of peace for South Sudan. The signing of the Agreement has created an atmosphere of hope for peace and tranquillity for the people of South Sudan. In the same vein, I also extend my appreciation to the regional and international partners for their invaluable contribution to the IGAD-led South Sudan peace process.
The signing of the Peace Agreement is a clear testimony that South Sudan has chosen the path of peace. The Peace Agreement has created a beacon of hope and a roadmap for achieving the ultimate goal of national reconciliation, good governance and economic prosperity. Excellencies, The journey for reaping the peace dividend begins with the paradigm shift, nurturing trust and building confidence between the leaders and extending the same to the people. The signing of the Peace Agreement is only an initial step in the process of state and peace building. Successful peace, security and stability cannot be realised unless the Peace Agreement is fully implemented.
The implementation process will translate the Peace Agreement and map it to the reality on the ground. I call upon the people and the leaders of South Sudan to undertake the noble task of stopping the war and implement the permanent ceasefire and security arrangement as envisaged in the Peace Agreement. I wish to remind that insecurity creates severe obstacle to the political participation and hampers reconstruction activities. It also compromises the tangible benefits of the peace process and risks increasing relapse to war. Without stopping the war, the promise of stability and prosperity will only remain a mirage.
It is therefore in the best interests of the people of South Sudan that the leaders do not allow this to happen and protect the gains they have made in the peace process. Excellencies, To compliment the efforts of South Sudanese, we as their neighbors as well as the international partners need to recommit ourselves to the implementation of the Peace Agreement and unlock the peace dividend. South Sudan needs our support in the political process, constitutional, legal and institutional reforms, reconstruction and development. I appeal to the regional and international partners to forge links, reenergize and stay the full course of the transitional period and beyond until sustainable security, peace and stability is achieved in South Sudan. Excellencies, Distinguished
Representatives, In conclusion, let us all join hand and help South Sudanese navigate successfully through the critical period ahead. Thank you very much.
