For the second time in as many weeks, newly appointed African Union High Representative for Infrastructural Development Raila Odinga's efforts towards restoring stability in Southern Sudan translated into positives.
A month after meeting President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar over peace deal, the latter returned to Juba for the first time in as many years.
“We need peace,” Machar told thousands of people who gathered at a ceremony marking the accord that he, Kiir and other groups signed this month.
“We really pray that this peace agreement holds this time,” said 27-year old Juma Khamis in the crowd. Regional and Western powers alike have been exasperated by a string of failed ceasefires and deals.https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001301062/south-sudan-rebel-leader-machar-returns-to-juba.
Wednesday's peace signing deal that was presided over by Kiir outside John Garang graveyard was witnessed by leaders from Uganda, DRC, Ethiopia and Sudan with Kenya conspicuously absent.
Mr. Machar, who will now become deputy, parted ways with Kiir in 2013, just two years after gaining independence. The 2016 fierce fight between the two warring sides saw Machar fleeing to South Africa, where he has stayed for three years.
In August, Odinga met Machar in South Africa before jetting to South Sudan few days later. A peace agreement would be signed later on.