– Guns and mistrust –
Both sides have shown bad faith throughout tortuous negotiations hosted by regional governments, and only signed the peace agreement under huge pressure and the threat of sanctions, including from the US.
Mutual suspicion lies behind the squabbling over weapons that has delayed Machar’s homecoming.
A 1,370-strong armed rebel force has already arrived in Juba as part of the peace deal while government forces say they have pulled out all but 3,420 of their troops, according to the agreement.
All other soldiers have to remain at least 25 kilometres (15 miles) outside the capital.
At one of three rebel camps in Juba, rebels pointed towards the government camp five minutes walk away and well within sight and range.
“Our people tell us, do not go back to war again,” said rebel Colonel Par Dang, as his 500 troops built thatch shelters in the scrubland.
“We are all South Sudanese, and even though we lost thousands, for those who survived we must work together again.”
About The Author
