(Photo Credit: ozarab.media)

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has arrived at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA, to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the Presidential Affairs Minister, mentioned that President Kiir is set to address the assembly about the peace implementation in South Sudan and the advancements achieved by conflicting parties. In 2018, under the mediation of Ugandan President Museveni and Sudan’s former president, Omar Al Bashir, President Kiir signed a peace accord with his political rival, Dr. Riek Machar. Both Museveni and Al Bashir acted as peace guarantors for South Sudan, guiding the transitional Government of National Unity to execute the agreement.

In addition, Kiir plans to inform the international community about South Sudan’s intent to hold elections in 2024, as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement. This comes despite Machar’s assertions that elections should only take place after security issues are resolved, a national army is formed, and displaced citizens are repatriated from neighboring countries, citing limited time for these conditions to be met. However, President Kiir remains firm in his stance that the elections will not be delayed and are set to take place in 2024.

Dr. Barnaba Marial further indicated that President Kiir might also shed light on the ongoing crisis in Sudan and propose ways to effectively address the conflict. Moreover, regional issues, especially within the East African community where South Sudan has been instrumental in peace-promotion, will also be on the president’s discussion agenda.