Salva Kiir and Riek Machar: South Sudan's shaky peace | Talk to Al Jazeera

South Sudan became the world's youngest nation in July 2011, but despite independence the country went to conflict again two years later, when civil war broke out - leaving tens of thousands dead, more than two million people displaced and an economy in ruins.
In 2013, former rebel leader and vice president Riek Machar was sacked by President Salva Kiir in a cabinet purge. Later that year, Kiir accused him of plotting a coup, which prompted Machar to flee the capital, Juba.
Machar denied the allegation, but the incident triggered South Sudan's vicious civil war.
After protracted negotiations by regional mediators, a peace deal was achieved between both sides in August last year and Machar has been sworn in again as vice president.
Kiir and Machar, have agreed to share power and are now tasked with rebuilding the world's youngest country that has been devastated by the conflict.
South Sudan is facing severe economic problems, and a deal with international donours has yet to be implemented.
"Whenever there are displaced people, or there are refugees, the solution is always money so that you can settle them. And then you get them food, medicine, everything so that they live comfortably, whether they are foreigners or citizens. So our problem is money. We have no money." says Kiir.
Riek Machar's delayed but much-publicised return should mean a positive working relationship with his arch rival Salva Kiir, but the key question is: Can they work together? And are they aiming for the same goals?
"We are unified now... As the government of national unity, we are functioning smoothly," President Salva Kiir says.
But asked about the agreement and his message to Riek Machar, Kiir says: "When you preach messages of hate, probably you are going to divide the people.
The problem, that we are not moving smoothly on the implementation of the agreement, is the way the agreement was designed. And when I signed this agreement in August last year, I said this in front of the president of Uganda. I told him that this agreement was not made to be implemented."
When confronted with Kiir's doubts about the implementation of the agreement, Riek Machar states:
"Well, he hasn't told me that. Because we have been discussing the implementation of it. So I expect that he will respect this bargain in the agreement. [I expect him to] Implement it by spirit and the letter of the agreement.
The agreement is a roadmap, first for reform, and for establishing the new system of governance in the country, which will lead us to a democratic elections. This is the aspiration of the people of Sudan. After independence, they want a democratic election to take place."
Al Jazeera's Peter Dobbie sat down with President Salva Kiir and the first Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan's capital, Juba, to find out how they see their role in the reconciliation process and what they are planning to do to solve the many problems facing the world's youngest country. They also discuss their relationship, the role of the international community, and the prospects for peace and unity in the future.
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[@Bill-s3v5e]

I don't really know who to trust from this two leaders may God bless the people of south Sudan and long live Africa.

[@randht]

Don't trust John Bolton and the United Kingdom. Always remember that their journalists are the tools of division.

[@MustacheCashStash125]

They’re just as bad as each other

[@johnkuch1950]

I wish Riak is honest and sincere because I love his vision and intellect.

[@Ngorkur]

❤ Thank you Kiir Mayardit as always with this journalist who is interviewing you on the conflict in South Sudan.

[@syl1318]

as a Somali former fighter I know war my brothers in South Sudan please stop this nonsense killing

[@imrandamss8305]

Good

[@sheldonbenjamin3100]

Jamaica Stands with the unification of one Africa. Africa unite

[@gatpangatluokkoangkoang]

I don't really know what to trust from this two leader may God bless the people in South Sudan and God bless you so much and iam in Ethiopian in refugees agency am in camp in Ethiopian

[@vincenttaban3950]

Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon ❤ big man as always. You did really fill as was stated in the book. UNTOLD STORY OF SOUTH SUDAN. 🙏

[@maxteakconstructionltd5619]

with oil all over the country I think you know whose behind this war

[@arawn1061]

@Marisiyana Narangi S

[@arawn1061]

@Marisiyana Narangi S

[@arawn1061]

@Marisiyana Narangi R

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

Israel.

[@kelvinthiongo2504]

USA of course

[@raniadavid4007]

listening to this interview,,, I realise kiir dosent have his own strong vision for the country,,, what ever people tel him to do he dose,,, he should work with riek and other tribe leaders to fix the problems,,,, being a leader u have 2 put peoples needs first..

[@jamesbill5951]

Be together in principles for the sake of your country.

[@intelligentipauca7558]

BAHOSA??

[@abdulrasul5391]

When 2 elephants fight it's the grass that gets hurt, so many people have died because of these 2 greedy and ignorant men they are fighting for their self interest not careing for the inocent people of south Sudan. GOD Help Sudan

[@Rebecca112244]

Finally someone with some common sense x HELP SUDAN

[@nyanpalgatchai3193]

Abdul rasul a 3

[@ramakonomanyi1377]

some kain and Abel movement.

[@marualmakergakmar1470]

We need services to be delivered to our country citizens.

[@turialsimonpuol2670]

this is only for my hero of peace victory is certain 🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸🇸only one man can change the ruthless regimes

[@cacampbell3654]

While I understand there is a language difference here, Al Jazeera's Peter Dobbe still seems to be patronizing President Kiir! And, also, even though an interviewer's job is to try to get the person being interviewed to tackle the most important and sometimes most difficult issues, that must be done respectfully and skillfully. The interviewer must not abuse his power over the person being interviewed.

[@dannybrown317]

There's just a cultural difference. When an interviewer that does not hear the answer they expect or something else is said that is contrary to what they know; there's some mild pushiness. Civilizations/ cultures behave differently. When there was the Ebola epidemic; some in the US were like cut all flights from Africa. Also telling people that Sadam Hussein had WMD and as such he should be invaded and stopped. Some people thought the above cited mechanisms will work. Cultural biases and perception run everything. All subconscious.

[@dannybrown317]

The interviewer was very respectful. Everyone in power has to encounter some friction

[@dannybrown317]

The interviewer was very respectful. Everyone in power has to encounter some friction

[@Ace-SK]

thank you for noting...

[@diingjuac5208]

this is what we face most in Africa even interviewers get rights to be seen on one side and nothing can be done to that.its so sad to be seen like that..

[@cholakuany5989]

Dear brother, Kiir, you have a good heart....but your mind lucks the reason to move forward. You are a brother and I love you but do not let my people suffer....please, my.people....I have cried t*ers.....be you, be kind but always be kind....

[@naatheurope5173]

Dr. Riek Machar is a intelligent man

[@philipgeorge9162]

I strongly believes, if machar did not win the up coming selection, he will surly returns back to the jungle

[@nyagahphaltang1235]

Philip George

[@floralujana74]

Has nobody seen that Riek Machar seems like he's being held against his will? What's that room he's in? Why is it so dark? That's no way to reach a compromise.

[@PeterEwoton-tj1wn]

Nothing like working together, they must draft a constitution which defines the role of each...and machar to assume opposition leader's role...and an organised judiciary, legislature and executive!

[@kouchreal]

Kiir is driven by tribalism and Machar is driven by power and both are misfortune of a nation...

[@kouchreal]

even though Machar is logical in expression and yet catastrophe, Kiir is more of a buffoon with no clue... but again they are all buffoons fighting for legitimate authority😂😁

[@jcmillionairevibez5897]

Absolutely true bro!

[@fodaymansaray9738]

axander levi ,

[@trey531]

both suck but i’d rather have Machar

[@mubarakyahia5480]

Very true, unfortunately

[@thabelomudau766]

10:45 he breaks down how they order around all African Presidents. Check how quickly the interviewer runs away from those statements.

[@urbantraveller3154]

Very true

[@cholakuany5989]

It is now or never. Human greed must not hinder human development. Our South Sudanese people have suffered enough and peace must be implemented NOW.

[@1Welcome-X]

We are all brothers, I have a deep south sudanese root...VVV

[@Bigwill285]

If these two cannot get along, then they should both step down for the sake of South Sudan. While this back and forth between the two goes on, tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, homes or have being displaced. This is all about a power struggle between two men that has resulted in historical human suffering.

[@akendut4810]

thanks for president Salva Kiir Mayardit& Dr. Riak Machar but you are forgot our situations in South Sudan as all concern Hunger in South Sudan is a part of Corona Virus Disease.let us feel free to defeat hunger and corona Virus disease in South Sudan.

[@firomsagemeda4482]

peace is more over important for Africa country

[@anthonykenneth.1780]

In an earlier interview salvar kiir said they were not friends but comrades in a common cause yet now he says they were friends for a long time.

[@sweetmelodyintlband]

That's politics

[@klmk2416]

My advice to President (Kirr) Is that the government should have one Force not everyone should have is own Army

[@dengkuot81]

You are very right about that great comments

[@ymdunn]

Sorry, I feel these new leaders are being black-mailed and put into a loose/loose situation.

[@edanechickpoultryfarm8181]

I an Okeyo Okoth. A kenyan luo from the shores of Lake Victoria. The issue of South Sudan makes me very sad and disturbed. We are one my brothers. I believe that you can have piece.

[@urbantraveller3154]

12:41 I what the President said is completely different from what the guy told the Vice President 15:04. Very interesting interpretation there.

[@cashempiregh]

Watching both of them their eyes, one can see that they are sick. and they really need rest.

[@princehavoc9158]

Stop throwing each other under the bus and stick to the peace commitment

[@philipgeorge9162]

machar is very power conscious!!!

[@lovelacekwasa]

all these people need to learn from Mandela. I know they didn't have an organised state or system, but I am a dependant of Southampton Sudan by virtue of being a luo in Kenya, we are smarter , brighter and blessed by God to let us deteriorate to this level. Humility is key , but lacking in South Sudan.

[@lovelacekwasa]

*descendant of south sudan

[@kouchreal]

👍👍@Lovelace, Mandela did advocated justice, peace and reconciliation and he was extremely wise and visionary... but SPLM and SPLM IO in general is completely savage in ideology lacking vision to improve and unite S. Sudan.... and the people are poor victims of misfortune...

[@bigtboxing6520]

The money is not always the solution, right, our problem is money. Because the greed of 2 guys.

[@funki4902]

I dont think Riek Machar will do "other things" if he lost the election, other than instigating another quarrel.

[@tongjoseph4503]

You are right brother, the Guy is addicted with his wrong violance

[@rambangtotdeng2598]

Funky We need someone else apart from the two and do you think Silva Kiir can do anything to developed South Sudan?No,even today child can never support him because he has fail our country.

[@kouchreal]

+Simon Bang I totally agree with you brother👍👍

[@rambangtotdeng2598]

axander levi Thank you

[@mubarakyahia5480]

@@rambangtotdeng2598 Definitely someone else must lead this nation, kiir& Machar must go

[@ThiikAyang]

Yes court judgement TRIALS can happen in South Sudan

[@eduardoneto3160]

Pay close attention to the conversation from 10:23 and you will understand who is behind and benefiting from this war.

[@aliyaalisho3246]

the guy with cowboy hat sound fake the guy with green hat sound real and good for people of South Sudan

[@DanielBeliu]

Like reik machar second president south. Sudan African my people wark together he good

[@ufc-ultimatefightingchampi8456]

God Bless, We real need the new leaders, due to these are not really leaders for the country. Military man can't be the president; and lead the country in peace and boost economics.

[@arthurnkongolo147]

...........journalist :......your what do u do next ......riak:... i will be at home writing my memos heheh the man is wise !!!!

[@Astra-36]

Not memos..he said memoirs

[@luaktop1411]

This is stupidy..he is just claming that "we have no money" South sudan is among the richest country in terms of Natural resources..

[@masengobruno192]

But people are die ..cuz africans leaders are eating all money...why not stop war and let people go to WORK

[@dauthuc8807]

Mi dear resources r not money

[@madinghennessy4900]

So he knows we are hungry, this man is the worst thing that has happened to South Sudan 😭

[@mubarakyahia5480]

Which one kiir or Machar??

[@chuolthiyang5886]

Rieck machar have a vision he should lead this nation for good

[@jorge62lucca]

PEACE South Sudan, its time for Africa!

[@acholi5669]

This is very rough and chunky but hope you get the basic idea This conflict started in 1991 when riek machar mobilized Nuer civilians and massacred 10,000 people in Bor all because he wanted to make a better SPLA and defeat dictator John garang he called him. So spla nasir was formed and they allied with north sudan to take down spla the former enemy of the south. It gotten so bad that dinkas has to abandon their own cultural mark in order to be safe and that how hatred of dinka toward nuer grew. But spla still succeed despite that spla made first move on reconciliation and mad piece agreement to both Riek forces and north Sudan despite that the wound was too deep from SPLA and riek still say there is need for a change in leadership and he should be the one. Salva was the chief commander of SPLA by that time and when john Garang died so as A member of 5 high commanders that found the movement which founded south Sudan and the most loyal and devoted fighter/leader since the day he became a rebel in late 1960s he was chosen to be president.

[@rambangtotdeng2598]

I feel ashamed to see these tribal minded hatred of people toward Riek Machar with no reason and I think you guys should know that,President Kiir his not educated enough to answer simple question.How can president said that,Am order by everyone and Am like child,that sound bad to me and I realize that,He's not capable to rule south Sudan. We need to stand together us future youth of south Sudan and not to fellow these fail two leaders.Whoever's dying in South Sudan matter to all of us brothers and sisters.May God protect our lovely homeland and the people in the country.

[@Drme2]

RE-read your poor writing before pointing a finger, have some respect.

[@foundationalblackamerican1682]

TooClean Mylife Someone’s intelligence has nothing to do with how well they can speak and right your language.

[@YvngReubo_13]

South Sudanese have all the time in the world. Black people have all the time in the universe. So, sit back and listen if you are sober.

[@okuomose1]

Who is behind these two men..

[@jamesmalou8211]

I want to ask Africa, when are we going to have unity we Africa? If yes or no , i need answer.

[@chieflsah2474]

Riek Machar soldiers killed civilians in attempted coup in order for riek to be president , it as the scariest two days but it's the UN Who has instigated this , they give his army arms , they forced an agreement on him which was detrimental to peace , how could they force the president to have 2 armies in one government , they are trying to create a Rwanda genocide part 2, kiir is a weak leader and riek is obsessed with power.

[@dauthuc8807]

That’s true bro

[@waniaquilino8365]

Those two boys are enriching themselves

[@syl1318]

please Mr President throw away that cowboy hat

[@بوفارسبونورا-ص7ه]

SY L he is bald

[@raspanda8123]

It was given to him by Former US President George W Bush

[@moeedmudassar3327]

Big PandaaOne Sam o nella academy

[@kdee868]

kita is going to be very happy. :)

[@davidomach6082]

Kirr should lead from the front,shun tribal, and lead by policy rather than being administrative

[@geelleguure8978]

Machar is the problem. He is not honest for his country and government. If he need to be president he should wait for the next election. And give chance for this rich young country to grow.

[@diingjuac5208]

with due respect RIEK MACHAR he is too greedy .in in the family everyone have a role no one jump into the other persons responsibilities...

[@rambangtotdeng2598]

Diing Juac You have to respect yourself us woman and on other hand women and children are the one suffering in South Sudan and Non of the two can take south Sudan a head and we need to stand us one citizen with one nationality and vote for someone who can respect the rule of law and freedom of expression like what Riek said.

[@mamaafrica9553]

Yse that is true

[@adamgalad9379]

"uuh Where are you come from?" funny question from Kiirdit.

[@YvngReubo_13]

Don't Interrupt the president, otherwise, listen.

[@martymcfly5423]

Salva Kiir is such a good President 👍

[@mubarakyahia5480]

No he hasn't achieved anything for the country, he must step down and let someone else to lead

[@MustacheCashStash125]

No he’s not, he’s a war criminal

[@nabsgilo4896]

The Solution to South sudan issue is to deal with these two gentleman# let IGAD involve force to apeace deal

[@jakthebest5053]

Brother igad is one our enemy us south Sudan

[@sagaradhikari5185]

no more justification needed

[@AddisEngine]

This is the man leading a country lol oh Africa

[@MambaAfrica]

Let him answer the question😡

[@SboyzCrewVEVO]

Jeremiah 50: 33-45 God will deliver us and HE already prepared the leader of South Sudan.

[@LuderKak-vw2id]

We're in peace bro

[@gatpanywuay4384]

Kiir is not getting the questions .

[@milosavage7327]

These criminals will not do anything they love power

[@danielapei3700]

Peace is not to postponed every year.

[@mushken65]

This is a fool at the helm and he will not let go. He is intimidated by the educated cadre and so he will hold on and die with the country

[@niltondossantos9790]

U.S, CHINA, FRANCE, BRITAIN, and more Hungry Natural Resource!!!

[@kdee868]

we are giving a rubi to our best friend to achieve peace.

[@amuomkuol]

All the rebels in southe Sudan are defeated militarily by the government. These rebel movements should laye down their arms and concede to the will of the people of southe Sudan by joining the political process in the Africas youngest nation to build that nation, government and people.

[@dumo249]

There is tribal oppression going on...giving up arms is giving up tribal integrity

[@acholdhieu1756]

Am more confused than ever before.

[@foundationalblackamerican1682]

They want them to kill each other to depopulate Sudan this has Saudi Arabia written all over it

[@Chxna2441]

Well done interviews Mr president Kiir Mayardit

[@zaksilver1858]

@Chxna2441 He can't fix South Sudan problems. he needs to step down.

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

They have no money but they are armed to the teeth!

[@trey531]

it seems there’s outside forces playing a hand in this

[@akuolgoi224]

Good video

[@1Welcome-X]

Two brothers one family 👪 ❤ 💙 💕

[@Drme2]

you can feel it that Reiak Machar is so selfish and power-hungry, he repeated the word "Election" 20+ times and whenever he mention the people of South Sudan he followed by "security for election" .

[@sagaradhikari5185]

remarkable seettlement needed with merging of all security personnel lawfully plolitically private sectors agriculture entertain cinema farming meat products dockyard import export od commmodities extraction or refinery mines coal petroleums

[@mawienmoses6973]

When do since that agreement 🤝

[@m.top29]

Dr Riek machar has big mind He has good vision

[@bahersedrak5629]

What are you doing to your Country? As if you are saying we were wrong to get independent

[@mawienmoses6973]

Yes court judgement wait you

[@riakdeng5698]

I believe that cowboy hat which was given you by former president of USA... That could be something behind that cowboy hat..behind Africa war there might American

[@beberwandaofficial6319]

For better southern Sudan's Better throw away those stupid evil leaders both Then start new systems This will work out well no Marsh no sarvakr Alla are very stupid

[@lampinyin3295]

"Hmm where are you coming from “ said by useless president ever lead a nation 🤔🤔

[@Ziggy_Mottyman]

Why do idiot useless people without respect like you comment?

[@DeeJaySunrise256]

Unless you didn't understand what he meant. Let me shade some light. He was saying America is bullying him into doing and saying at their command....

[@reechchol9226]

You are the most useless African to exist, if you can’t understand that

[@swapnadevote4232]

GOD is the helper, and supporter of all african people, without GOD there is no way to save african people, if you really want to help of GOD then you listening my song, and remain empty handed, never take any revenge, but you only slogan GOD IS OUR

[@harounnour5506]

make darfur lives in Australia with my family and I love them so much

[@sistefera6987]

The yangest country but the oldest system of gvt.

[@redddrc6865]

If money is the "problem" make your own then... Blacks in america has this same dependency issue thinking they need help from outside forces ect.

[@solomonduku7186]

One about south Sudanese leaders are action without thinking they are all lies

[@mushken65]

I am sorry to say this so called president is fit to be called a tribal chief or village elder not a president of any country. End result will be darkness unto death. It is a pity for fool to hold such a title. I pity S.Sudan

[@KuethJoak-z8y]

True say

[@mabuchikyouma7674]

South Sudan is the poorest country in the world

[@cheromory0724]

These two must be replaced... Both clans must select other people to be their leader..... Dont waste your time as many lives will lost!

[@juniorchol4214]

Spare us please 😢😢