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South Sudan Cease-Fire Proves to Be Short-Lived South Sudan Cease-Fire Proves to Be Short-Lived
(4 months later)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — An agreement for a cease-fire in South Sudan that was signed Friday barely made it into the new week before violence resumed in the seething conflict that has already left thousands dead and displaced more than 1.3 million people. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — An agreement for a cease-fire in South Sudan that was signed Friday barely made it into the new week before violence resumed in the seething conflict that has already left thousands dead and displaced more than 1.3 million people.
A previous pact, signed in January, also failed almost immediately.A previous pact, signed in January, also failed almost immediately.
As early as Monday, South Sudan’s minister of defense, Kuol Manyang, said there had been new fighting in Upper Nile State. On Wednesday, the government and the rebels accused each other of violating the short-lived accord.As early as Monday, South Sudan’s minister of defense, Kuol Manyang, said there had been new fighting in Upper Nile State. On Wednesday, the government and the rebels accused each other of violating the short-lived accord.
In an interview from Juba, South Sudan’s capital, Ateny Wek Ateny, a spokesman for President Salva Kiir, said the government had been attacked by the rebels, led by Riek Machar, the former vice president under Mr. Kiir.In an interview from Juba, South Sudan’s capital, Ateny Wek Ateny, a spokesman for President Salva Kiir, said the government had been attacked by the rebels, led by Riek Machar, the former vice president under Mr. Kiir.
Yohanis Musa Pouk, a spokesman for Mr. Machar, asserted that Mr. Kiir had violated the cease-fire to avoid the establishment of an interim government and elections that might leave him out of power. He called the cease-fire a good agreement, “but we know that the government won’t honor it.”Yohanis Musa Pouk, a spokesman for Mr. Machar, asserted that Mr. Kiir had violated the cease-fire to avoid the establishment of an interim government and elections that might leave him out of power. He called the cease-fire a good agreement, “but we know that the government won’t honor it.”
“Nobody will talk about elections if there is insecurity in the country,” Mr. Pouk said.“Nobody will talk about elections if there is insecurity in the country,” Mr. Pouk said.
Sunday Okello Angoma, a researcher on South Sudan at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University, said, “The two sides don’t seem to be ready to implement any peace agreement.”Sunday Okello Angoma, a researcher on South Sudan at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University, said, “The two sides don’t seem to be ready to implement any peace agreement.”
Mr. Angoma said that Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar seem to make cease-fire agreements fairly easily. Putting them into effect is something else. The civil war has so disrupted the fragile country, which became independent of Sudan only in 2011, that United Nations agencies warned last month of famine without a major relief effort.Mr. Angoma said that Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar seem to make cease-fire agreements fairly easily. Putting them into effect is something else. The civil war has so disrupted the fragile country, which became independent of Sudan only in 2011, that United Nations agencies warned last month of famine without a major relief effort.
Mr. Angoma urged the establishment of an international peacekeeping force large enough to keep order.Mr. Angoma urged the establishment of an international peacekeeping force large enough to keep order.
A South Sudanese research organization stimulated the debate over an interim government with a proposal published over the weekend and sent to negotiators in Addis Ababa.A South Sudanese research organization stimulated the debate over an interim government with a proposal published over the weekend and sent to negotiators in Addis Ababa.
“The mission is to lay the foundation for sustained peace, economic growth, poverty reduction and the structure for resilient institutions,” said Lual Deng, the managing director of the research organization, the Ebony Center for Strategic Studies in South Sudan and, until 2011, a minister in the Sudanese government.“The mission is to lay the foundation for sustained peace, economic growth, poverty reduction and the structure for resilient institutions,” said Lual Deng, the managing director of the research organization, the Ebony Center for Strategic Studies in South Sudan and, until 2011, a minister in the Sudanese government.
The proposal suggested a collegiate presidency of five individuals who would rotate every six months. The presidency would have a representative from each of South Sudan’s three chief regions — Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile — a representative from the army, and a woman.The proposal suggested a collegiate presidency of five individuals who would rotate every six months. The presidency would have a representative from each of South Sudan’s three chief regions — Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile — a representative from the army, and a woman.
Mr. Deng said that by putting an emphasis on the regions, the arrangement could avoid ethnic dominance by either Mr. Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group, or the Nuer, which largely supports Mr. Machar. Longstanding tensions between those groups burst into open warfare last December after Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of plotting to overthrow him.Mr. Deng said that by putting an emphasis on the regions, the arrangement could avoid ethnic dominance by either Mr. Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group, or the Nuer, which largely supports Mr. Machar. Longstanding tensions between those groups burst into open warfare last December after Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of plotting to overthrow him.
The proposal also suggests a cabinet of technocrats. Mr. Deng said that the interim government would be installed, without elections, after Mr. Kiir’s term that officially ends next year.The proposal also suggests a cabinet of technocrats. Mr. Deng said that the interim government would be installed, without elections, after Mr. Kiir’s term that officially ends next year.
Mr. Pouk said Mr. Machar’s delegation had not seen the proposal but was working on its own plan. Mr. Ateny opposed the idea of installing five individuals who were not elected to lead the country.Mr. Pouk said Mr. Machar’s delegation had not seen the proposal but was working on its own plan. Mr. Ateny opposed the idea of installing five individuals who were not elected to lead the country.
“President Kiir is the one to head South Sudan until people decide to vote him out,” he said.“President Kiir is the one to head South Sudan until people decide to vote him out,” he said.