South Sudan Peace Move

02-12-2016

South Sudan President Salva Kiir must be "feeling the love" this Valentine's Day.

But is it sincere?

Kiir has just agreed to reinstate Nuer leader Riek Machar as South Sudan's first vice president.

Kiir removed Machar from the position two years ago after accusing him of attempting to stage a coup against his government. That ouster--and conflict between the  two long-time poltiical rivals led to civil war between the Dinka and Nuer tribes.

As a result, tens of thousand have been killed, and at least 1.5-million South Sudanese have been displaced.

They were finally free from their Islamist oppressors when they became the world's newest country in 2011. But it didn't take long for the promise of new wealth to lure them into another form of oppression. With a common enemy gone, old tribal rivalries re-surfaced, this time over control of South Sudan's billions of dollars in oil profits.

It's unclear at this time if Machar--who currently resides in Ethiopia--will also "feel the love" and return to his previous position in Juba.

In November 2007, I met and interviewed Salva Kiir following his White House visit with President Bush. He was Sudan Vice President at the time, and Mr. Bush had just given him a gift: a black Stetson hat (which Kiir continues to wear today). 

Kiir told me he admired President Bush, and was grateful to him and American Chirstians for the help and support they provided South Sudan.

I met Kiir's predecessor, John Garang just prior to his death in 2005. The General told me South Sudan's survival as a new nation would depend on the country honoring and protecting the rights of all religions, minorities, and ethnic groups.

Garang was passionately committed to that. Kiir, not as much. 

Some of Kiir's critics say he is a strong Dinka leader, but he has yet to learn that the president of South Sudan must be an agressive advocate for all Southern Sudanese--whether Dinka, Nuer, or any other ethnic group. 

The same goes for Riek Machar. Can he sincerely reach out and help those in his country who do not belong to his Nuer tribe? Can he put aside his resentment and differences with Kiir to work with him for the betterment of the country--placing the interests of South Sudan first?

Will both men reconcile only to avoid threatened international economic sanctions against their interests, or do they sincerely "feel the love?"  

The nation's future depends on their motivation and response.

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