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South Sudan President Admits Inter-Communal Fighting Threatens Country

David Manyang Mayar

   JUBA , SOUTH SUDAN - On South Sudan's ninth independence anniversary,
   President SalvaKiiracknowledged that months of deadly intercommunal
   fighting threatens toripthe country apart. In a wide-ranging televised
   speech to the nation, the president Thursday called on all South
   Sudanese to work for peace and reconcile communities whose social
   fabric has been "torn apart by war."

   "The phase of political violence is now behind us. Unfortunately, our
   success in ending political violence is now threatened by different
   sorts of violence. Intercommunal conflict is raging in different parts
   of our country. As a government we will not allow this to reverse our
   gains," saidKiir.

   U.N. Mission in South Sudan chief David Shearer told VOA that several
   hundred people diedlast monthin a wave of attacks and counterattacks in
   Jonglei state.

   "Amultilayered approach"

   The government will undertake whatKiircalled "a multilayered approach"
   that includes intercommunal dialogue, strengthening the rule of law and
   order, and taking away civilians' guns.

   "For those who will not heed this call, the government will be left
   with no option than to forcefully remove these weapons from their
   hands. The government hopes this will not be the case,"Kiirsaid in his
   speech.

   On the fragile, revitalized peace agreement,Kiirsaid he is aware of the
   slow progress that's being made and urged partners in the unity
   transitional government to work together to resolve remaining issues.

   "It is critical that we, the parties to the agreement, desist from
   adopting uncompromising positions in the hope that mediation will
   eventually back them. We must move away from such attitudes because the
   peace we seek to consolidate is our own peace as South Sudanese,"
   saidKiir.

   The transitional government was formed inFebruary,but it took the
   former warring parties until June to nominate the states' governors.
   Two of the10governors have yet to be appointed.

   The president called on all South Sudanese to "work tirelessly
   irrespective of our political leaning to restore trust among
   ourselves," and to "desist from propaganda." He asked citizens
   everywhere to work toward putting the country "permanently on the path
   of peace."

   Economy hurt by pandemic

   Kiirtouched on the country's struggling economy, saying the coronavirus
   pandemic had hurt thenation's oil sector,which accounts formore than95%
   of South Sudan's revenue.

   "The pandemic has depressed oil prices and we have been unable to
   compensate for the shortfall in oil revenue with non-oil
   revenue,"Kiirsaid in his speech.

   If government agencies could be more efficient at collecting taxes and
   other non-oil revenue,the president said, the governmentthencould "meet
   expenditures and operations. Unfortunately, this has not been the
   case."

   Government officials are exploring ways to ensure that taxes and fees
   are paid so the government can paythesalaries of civil servants on
   time, saidKiir.

   Soldiers and civil service employeesfrequentlyhavepointed outtheyhave
   not received their salaries in months.

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