By JAMES KUNDA –
ZAMBIA has called for adherence to the newly-signed peace treaty between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy-cum-rebel leader Riek Machar.

. Kalaba

Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba said in Lusaka yesterday that the two leaders should uphold the agreement to alleviate suffering among the people of the north-east African country.
President Edgar Lungu this year joined a mediation process to bring peace between Mr Kiir and Dr Machar towards ending more than 20-months of conflict between government troops and rebels.
The conflict was caused by a split within the security forces.
Mr Lungu in February separately met Mr Kiir and Dr Machar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of an African Union (AU) Summit and again met with Mr Kiir in Luanda, Angola, on the sidelines of the Great Lakes region extra-ordinary summit.
Dr Machar was first to assent to the deal in Addis Ababa a week before President Kiir followed suit at a ceremony in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Mr Kiir’s signing was witnessed by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
Mr Kalaba said Zambia was elated with the fresh peace accord and hoped that the two leaders would promote peace and unity in South Sudan.
“Zambia has envisaged that peace in the great lakes region will support development and it is our hope that the two leaders in South Sudan adhere to the treaty in the interest of their people,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said the treaty would bridge the divide between the two leaders and ensure a smoother transition that will set a new dawn for the people of South Sudan.