Radio Miraya
2729: President Salva Kiir speaks at the High Level Mediation Talks for South Sudan
I would like to thank my brother, his Excellency President William Ruto, for accepting the role of resolving the South Sudan conflict through a mediation, through a mediation effort led by Kenya. The Nairobi peace process led by Kenya helped negotiate the comprehensive peace agreement which ended Africa's longest conflict. That peace led to the independence of the Republic of South Sudan at the end of the interim period in 2011. I am confident that these efforts will yield a similar result as the country prepares for the general election this year. Your Excellency, the peace negotiations I am opening today between the government of South Sudan and the whole opposition groups started in Rome five years ago, under the Santuhi Yidho community. I must thank his holiness, Pope Francis and the Santuhi Yidho community for their efforts in trying to resolve the conflict in South Sudan. The current mediation, mediation effort led by Kenya will be anchored on a firm foundation led by the Rome peace process. Your Excellency, South Sudan has some turnover here in good faith and with an open mind we hope that the non-secretaries, 700 years of position, opposition groups have a similar conviction and desire for peace in South Sudan. We, when fully achieved, will bring everlasting stability and economic development in the region and they will learn about South Sudan but in the region where South Sudan is situated. Thank you very much.