South Sudan’s national dialogue co-chair Angelo Beda has reiterated his calls on the opposition to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Kiir in May, saying Kiir’s unilateral ceasefire cannot stop the ongoing violence unless it is reciprocated by armed opposition groups.

“It is clear that the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the launch of the national dialogue on May 22 2017 cannot stop the violence unless it is reciprocated by the armed opposition groups,” partly reads a statement dated 22 June.

“This is why we have continuously urged the leaders of the opposition to also declare a ceasefire to allow the national dialogue and other peace initiatives to proceed in a more conducive atmosphere,” adds the statement.  

The co-chair was reacting to a recently statement issued by the members of the Troika and the European Union in which they condemned the continuing violence in South Sudan, especially the government’s offensive against opposition forces near Pagak, as well as ongoing road ambushes and attacks by the SPLM-IO forces.

Angelo said the national dialogue leadership is deeply concerned that this violence continues to inflict on innocent civilian population more deaths, suffering, displacement and refuge into neighbouring countries.

He called upon all South Sudanese inside and outside the country to seize the opportunity of the national dialogue to engage constructively in a serious effort to end the devastating violence in South Sudan.

Last month, South Sudanese rebels allied to former first vice president Riek Machar said they would reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir once IGAD countries end Riek Machar’s exile.