Transcript: Kiir and Machar speeches at South Sudan ceasefire signing

May 12, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — The chairman of SPLM [in opposition], Dr. Riek Machar and president Salva Kiir reiterate their commitments to the agreement, signed on May 09, 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Machar reaffirms that there was no coup, and since his colleagues, who were implicated, have been released, he had the courage to negotiate faithfully and to double efforts to restore peace through dialogue. Machar believes that the agreement he signed is an important “road map”.

Machar also reiterates his acceptance of the breach of their [Kiir and Machar] 2010 “gentlemen agreement.” Machar believes that Salva Kiir dishonoured their gentlemen agreement as running mates during the 2010 elections when he campaigned for the president to get elected.

Although Kiir did not present his version on the alleged coup, he believes that someone fired a gun saying “A gun does not fire itself alone.” The president believes that the December misunderstanding between the presidential guards was orchestrated by Machar, however, the presidential guards had another misunderstanding in March this year leading to a heavy fighting like that of December, despite all factions were loyal to Salva Kiir.

Kiir reiterated his commitment to lead everyone saying “the country called South Sudan, I am the president, to everybody. Those who are against me, and those who support me. I am the president of South Sudan, and I must always remain in that position as the president. The leader of that country.”

Kiir believes that he is responsible for the country, and for such he feels obligated to find solutions to the crisis. He reiterated his commitment to the peace process and obeying the ceasefire agreement.

These speeches were delivered in English. The texts that follow are verbatim transcripts, without abridgement.

Read The Full Transcript Here …