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Peace agreement in South Sudan – CMI’s head for Sub-Saharan Africa interviewed in Finnish media

Published on Thursday, 27th of August 2015

Kakoma was interviewed by Finnish news agency STT, largest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and Swedish TV news of Finland’s national broadcasting company

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CMI’s head for Sub-Saharan Africa Itonde Kakoma was interviewed Wednesday concerning the peace agreement in South Sudan reached on the same day.

To Finnish news agency STT Kakoma emphasized, that the real test will be the implementation of the agreement and the commitment of both the conflict parties and the citizens of South Sudan. He hopes that the national interests would surpass the personal ones. Having the contract signed in Juba was important, as it gives South Sudanese the message that the agreement is theirs and for them.

Speaking to newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Kakoma said that a temporary government should be formed, the security situation should be strengthened and the peaceful coexistence of war-stricken citizens should be ensured.

“All of this needs a working administration. A working administration requires, that people who have fought in battles trust it.”

Kakoma also spoke with Swedish-speaking news broadcast TV-nytt. The peace agreement is a positive step in the right direction, he said.

“One can only hope that these very individuals who have been fighting can put down the guns and work together again. Emphasis is on “again”, because they’ve done it before, and so I do not suspect that they would be unable or unwilling to do it,” Kakoma said.

When asked, whether he is hopeful, Kakoma replied: “Yes, in a realistic way.”

CMI has worked in South Sudan since the country’s independence in 2011. Our work with the Intra-SPLM dialogue process started in 2014. Read more about our work here.