China urges South Sudan parties to accelerate peace implementation

JUBA -- China has urged parties to South Sudan's September 2018 peace deal to fast-track its implementation and end the conflict in the east African country.

The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening that Beijing supports efforts to restore peace and stability in the world's youngest nation and urged the country's leaders to put their personal interest aside and work for the wellbeing of all South Sudanese.

"China sincerely hopes that relevant parties of South Sudan could put the people's interests above all else, establish confidence in peace, fulfill the commitment to peace, accelerate the implementation of the revitalization peace agreement, and realize permanent peace in South Sudan at an early date," said Feng Bo, Military Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Juba.

Feng made the remarks on Tuesday in Juba during an occasion marking the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Feng said China will continue to provide support and assistance to the peace and development of South Sudan within its capacity.

On his part, South Sudan's army chief Gabriel Jok Riak praised the achievements of the Chinese army in the past nine decades, adding that he would seek more assistance from their Chinese counterparts to support the peace process.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013 and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.

The UN estimates that about 4 million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed following renewed violence in the capital Juba in July 2016.

Under the new peace deal signed on September 2018, opposition leader Riek Machar with four others will once again be reinstated as Kiir's deputy.

But signatories to the fragile agreement on May 3 agreed to extend the formation of a transitional government by six months following delays in the implementation of the pact.