President Salva Kiir’s appointment of 28 Governors is considered a blow to return of peace.

Obtaining lasting peace in South Sudan seems to be a far off dream as the former leaders of the South People Liberation Movement (SPLM) have joined the rebels led by Riek Machar and the international community to criticize President Salva Kiir for appointing Governors to head the 28 States he recently created.

The creation of the 28 States without the consent of the rebels, was considered Salva Kiir’s violation of the peace agreement that laid the framework for a transition government. Critics say, the appointment is the confirmation of Mr Kiir’s hardheartedness to implement the peace agreement that is expected to end the civil war and culminate in lasting peace in the country.

The SPLM leaders also called former political detainees, have described President Kiir’s move as a severe mortal blow to the return of the country to peace, despite “ pleas from many quarters and stakeholders to give peace a chance.” Deng Alor Kuol, the team leader of the former political detainees, in a press release declared, “We call on all patriotic sons and daughters of South Sudan as individuals and groups to do what is within their power to press for full and unconditional implementation of ARCISS in order to bring this senseless conflict that is tearing apart the national fabric of South Sudan, to an end,” The Nation Mirror newspaper quoted. Mr Kuol also appealed to President Kiir to faithfully stick to his promises that he has been making on numerous occasions and on different forums that he was committed to implementing the agreement fully and in good faith.

The SPLM leaders appreciated the role played by the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) in resolving the crisis and civil war in South Sudan that erupted in December 2013.  IGAD has put in place Joint and Monitoring Evaluation Commission (JMEC) to follow up the implementation of the peace agreement. Mr Kuol called on the Commission Chairman, Festus Mogae to “ensure that the parties are fully committed to the implementation of ARCISS and the integrity of the process.”