President Salva Kiir Mayardit. [Gurtong | File]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 17 October 2012 [Gurtong] – Kiir was addressing the South Sudanese lawmakers from the National Assembly and Council of States including the executive and the civil society as the two houses convened for their sittings after a three month recess.
“I have told you on several occasions that, under my leadership I will do all that it takes to prevent a return to war with any country,” said Kiir during the delivery of his policy statement to the August Houses and presentation of the recent agreements with Sudan.
“Its time that we focus all our energies in the development of our young country and I will ensure that the Republic of South Sudan is on the road to development and prosperity,” added the President.
South Sudan ended more than two decades of civil war with Sudan cemented in a 2005 peace accord dubbed Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Many had doubted the full implementation of the peace deal then especially after the founding leader of the liberation struggle Dr John Garang died shortly in a helicopter crash.
Prior to the secession of South Sudan last year many pundits believed the recent agreements with Sudan especially on citizenship meant paving way for another unity of the two countries, contextually another return to the previous system of governance of the old Sudan characterized with marginalization of the Southern territory.
The president said the temporary agreement with Sudan is aimed at creating a breeding ground for development in the infant nation though it stood sharp criticism from some groups of South Sudanese.
South Sudan after shutting down her oil production economically became landlocked with dependency on East Africa placing the new nation to adopt some austerity measures to ascertain the situation.
Oil revenues fund over 90 per cent of government expenditures.