9 July 2015 - It was vital for the South Sudanese to view the country’s fourth independence anniversary as an opportunity for new beginnings, President Salva Kiir said in Juba today.

He reminded the large crowd gathered at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum of the jubilation when South Sudan’s flag was raised for the first time on 9 July 2011.

“Today, as the country goes through a senseless war… I (want) you to revisit the significance of that moment and the vision that kept us going through the struggle for independence,” he said.

The President noted that the current conflict was man-made by some South Sudanese.

“The mistakes of a few among us affected everyone and the impact was felt in every corner of South Sudan,” he said, noting that lives had been lost, education and cultivation had come to a standstill in Greater Upper Nile, infrastructure was destroyed and the economy was facing extreme inflation.

Referring to the day’s theme, “Together for unity and a peaceful South Sudan,” the President urged the people to work together to reconstruct their country.

“There is no room for revenge. People have to think of how to forgive one another,” he said, as he welcomed seven former political detainees present at the celebrations.

The President stressed that he had heard the citizens' cries for peace and stability so that they could support their families, move freely and “return to business as usual’.

“I haven’t rested and I will not rest until peace is achieved in South Sudan,” he said, pledging the government’s commitment to bring back peace “owned by the South Sudanese themselves”.

President Kiir said it was necessary to have internal dialogue, although formal negotiations would continue.

He explained that the three-year extension of government was not a violation of the constitution, but rather was intended to avoid a political vacuum and to give peace a chance.

“The immediate priority (of the government) during this period will be to relieve the suffering of our people,” he said, as he called on refugees, and displaced people, including those in UN bases, to return home.

The President commended UNMISS and humanitarian partners for their work and demanded that those hampering humanitarian access to vulnerable communities should stop immediately.

He outlined other mid and long-term goals for the next three years, including reforms within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement party, conclusion of constitutional review, and free and fair elections.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the people of South Sudan and Africa in general had suffered unnecessarily because of imperialist ideologies.

“However, Africans should not forget that imperialists were taking advantage of our internal weaknesses and mistakes,” he said, adding that South Sudan was now suffering from wrong ideas of tribalism among its people.

Another problem South Sudan was now facing was “high-handed approaches” from “outsiders”, who were not looking to help, but rather to take over, President Museveni said, as he pledged Uganda’s continued support.

Vice-President James Wani Igga described opposition leader Riek Machar as a “warmonger” and called for the international community to denounce and condemn his rebellion.

In a statement issued yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to take decisive steps to help end the fighting.

He noted that the violence which had ravaged South Sudan for the last 18 months had proved there can never be a military solution to the conflict.

“I call on all leaders of South Sudan, particularly President Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar, to prove their leadership by investing in a political solution and immediately concluding a comprehensive peace agreement.” Mr. Ban said.

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to support a political solution while continuing to make every effort to provide vulnerable populations with protection and humanitarian assistance.

“Peace, development and human rights are the birthright of all the people of South Sudan,” he said. “The promise of a new nation that they celebrated four years ago must finally be redeemed.”