South Sudan awaiting its government of national unity

Text by: RFI Follow

This weekend, Riek Machar was invested as the country's first vice-president. If the event gives rise to hope, the formation of the new government and the implementation of certain points of the peace agreement promise to be complicated.

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After months of delay, the rebel leader has therefore returned to the capital to participate in a government of national unity, as provided for in the peace agreement signed by him and President Salva Kiir in September 2018. The inauguration of Machar and three other vice presidents was widely welcomed in the country but also by the international community.

Washington - Juba's main backer hailed this progress in particular, but warned: there is still a long way to go. " The real, hardest work begins now, " said the US ambassador to the United Nations.

We will now have to appoint a cabinet of 35 ministers, 20 of whom are chosen by President Salva Kiir. Then come the governors, the administrators for whom the two camps will have to negotiate.

The implementation of certain points of the peace agreement could also block. Like the integration of over 41,000 combatants from the national army and rebel groups into one unified army. Or the delimitation and control of the 10 states announced by President Salva Kiir.

So many points that can still derail this government of national unity, which will have to manage the country for three years until the next election.

This is the third time that Riek Machar has been number 2 for Salva Kiir. Will the two rivals succeed this time in peaceful coexistence? This is the hope of a population traumatized by 6 years of civil war , which has left nearly 400,000 dead. The composition of the government could be announced this Monday or Tuesday.

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• South Sudan

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