President Yoweri Museveni has arrived in South Sudan Capital-Juba, ahead of the peace day celebrations following a new peace deal signed between former Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir last month to end conflict.
The long South Sudan conflict has had a huge effect on trade and people at large, for Uganda specifically, export revenue to South Sudan reduced by $500m, while at least a million South Sudanese sought refuge in Uganda.
President Museveni who has been key in mediating the peace talks believes that the warring factions have reached a critical stage in the process of restoring peace in Africa’s youngest nation.
“I believe with this peace process, the refugees can return home and participate in rebuilding their country,” President Museveni said in a message posted on his official social media channels.
Meanwhile, South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has returned to the capital Juba for the first time in more than two years on Wednesday to take part in the peace ceremony.
Machar, who under the terms of the peace deal is to be reinstated as vice president, had not set foot in the city since he fled in July 2016 under a hail of gunfire when an earlier peace accord collapsed.
The rebel chief arrived at Juba airport at 9:30am (0630 GMT) and was welcomed by President Salva Kiir, Machar’s former ally turned bitter enemy.
The two are to join regional leaders at the ceremony later Wednesday to publicly welcome the most recent peace agreement, signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in September.
READ MORE: South Sudan Rebel Leader Riek Machar Returns To Juba After Two Years