Through the cooperation of the leaders of South Sudan, First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai听on Thursday听told the听United Nations听General听Assembly听that听his country could听become 鈥渁 beacon of hope and peace鈥�.听
鈥淟ast year, I stood here representing a country many skeptics had considered was on the brink of deteriorating into violent conflict,鈥� said Taban Deng Gai, adding that now, 鈥淪outh Sudan is heading towards lasting peace and stability鈥�.听
He credited success听in the ongoing implementation of the 2018听Revitalized Peace Agreement to the engagement of different parties, and听urged听the international community to support efforts to bring non-signatories 鈥渙n board鈥�.听
Mr. Gai told the Assembly that a听face-to-face meeting between听President Salva听Kiir听and Rick Machar earlier this month offered an opportunity听to听deliberate issues听and听pave the way for the new Government of听National Unity by 12 November.听
鈥淭he Transnational Government of National Unity will continue to consolidate peace including preparations for elections at the end of the Transnational Period鈥�, he said, calling upon UN Member听States听鈥渢o extend much needed support for the new incoming Government鈥�.听
Security situation听
As the Government and parties to the听peace accord听had听worked diligently to implement its provisions, Mr. Gai said, the country鈥檚 overall security situation is stable.听
He elaborated on several peace initiatives under听way, including dialogues at grassroots, regional and national levels, which have made 鈥渟ignificant strides towards reconciliation and healing鈥� among the country鈥檚 diverse communities.听
To consolidate peace on the ground, ensure democracy and accountability and fight impunity, Mr. Gai believed in听a听鈥渃omplementary three-track approach鈥� that included people-to-people听peace initiatives, national dialogue and the听implementation听of the Peace听Agreement.听
Turning to听Abyei, Mr. Gai said his Government is 鈥済ravely concerned鈥� about the security situation there and urged the Secretary-General to听quickly appoint听the UN Interim Security Force鈥檚 () Civilian Deputy Head.听听
听
As Mr. Gai congratulated听neighbouring听Sudan for its ability to amicably resolve the political impasse 鈥渢hat many feared would get out of hand.鈥澨鼿e drew a round of applause when he said: 鈥淲e are one people in two independent countries united through our historical, cultural and social ties鈥�.听
