West warns Kiir, Machar on war

American Ambassador Scott DeLisi talks to South Sudan children at Nyumazi Refugee Camp in Adjumani District. PHOTO BY RISDEL KASASIRA

Kampala. European and American diplomats in Uganda have told South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his rival Dr Riek Machar to end the war that has displaced thousands.
The peace negotiations, hosted in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, collapsed on March 6 after the two leaders failed to sign an agreement.
The diplomats, who were meeting South Sudan refugees in Adjumani District on Tuesday, said President Kiir and rebel leader Machar must end violence through dialogue.

“My President Barack Obama cares about this conflict because your families have suffered and the US has spent over $1 billion to help South Sudanese and this support will continue,” the US Ambassador in Uganda, Scott DeLisi told the refugees.
“We stand with regional governments that are trying to bring Kiir and Machar on the table to end the conflict,” he added.
The European Union Head of Delegation Ambassador Kristian Schmidt said the conflict was caused by bad governance.
“There can never been military solution in South Sudan. That’s why warring parties must dialogue and end this conflict. You [refugees] are victims of bad governance and poor policies,” he said.
Different humanitarian agencies in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) have been sensitising refugees on reconciliation to end tribal differences between the Dinka and Nuer in the refugee camps.

The conflict started as an alleged coup to overthrow the government of Kiir before it metamorphosed into tribal conflict between the Dinka and Nuer. Both tribes are now living together as refugees in the camps in West Nile.
Mr Kristian said Kiir and Machar should come to Uganda and see how the two tribes were living peacefully in the refugee camps.
“I think Machar and Kiir should come learn from what is happening here in your camps in Uganda,” he said.
The refugee desk officer under OPM, Mr Titus Jogo, said they have established a radio station to sensitise refugees on reconciliation.