South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar (centre) arrives at Juba
international airport with his wife to attend a peace ceremony in Juba,
South Sudan, on October 31, 2018. PHOTO | AKUOT CHOL | AFP
South Sudan main opposition leader Riek Machar has reiterated his commitment to the implementation of the peace deal.
Speaking
at a peace ceremony in Juba on Wednesday, the rebel chief said he was
ready to give peace a chance in the war-torn country.
"We
come here today [Wednesday] to confirm to you that we are for
peace...We want peace and unity," Machar told the crowd at Freedom
Square.
Machar called on President Salva Kiir for the release of political detainees in the country.
"We aware after the crisis in 2016, some people were arrested. So, political prisoners should be released all," said Machar.
He announced that the new peace deal will lead to the creation of a federal government.
"The peace agreement will bring you federal system of governance," he said.
Machar returned to Juba for the first time in more than two years to take part in the ceremony.
Somali
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who attended the ceremony, urged
all the parties to the conflict to commit themselves to the
implementation of the September peace agreement in letter and spirit.
A Mo Ibrahim Foundation report recently ranked South Sudan as the second worst governed state in Africa after Somalia.
South
Sudan plunged into a civil war in 2013 when President Kiir accused
Machar —then vice president— of plotting a coup against him.
Several
peace accords have been signed but faltered immediately including the
last one in 2016 that forced Machar to flee into exile.
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