By Parach Mach
JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged rival factions in war-torn South Sudan to bring an end to the crisis in Africa’s youngest nation.
Museveni arrived in the South Sudanese capital Juba on Thursday afternoon for a one-day official visit, during which he held a closed-door meeting with President Salva Kiir at the presidential palace.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Juba with Kiir, Museveni said: “I would appeal to the transitional government headed by the president and all the other stakeholders to stop all actions involving the security so that the people focus on the elections as soon as possible; all fighting should stop so that the people of South Sudan can regain their power."
He called for a “real change” in the country and urged South Sudanese people to stop fighting so that they could choose their leaders though democratic elections.
South Sudan was plunged into civil war in December 2013 when a long running political feud between Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar exploded into violence, much of it along ethnic lines.
The rivals signed a shaky peace deal in August this year, but fighting has continued, forcing Machar into exile following streets battle in July between his forces and those loyal to Kiir.
Tens of thousands have been killed and more than two million others displaced amid accusations of atrocities on both sides, with ongoing peace implementation so far failing to yield a lasting political settlement to the crisis.