{{The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Saturday reiterated calls for peace in his conflict-ridden country, but warned citizens against involvement in revenge killings.}}<\/p>\n
Speaking at a rally organised by the ruling party\u2019s (SPLM) youth wing, Kiir said it was time for South Sudanese to forgive one another as leaders seek remedies to the current conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis country needs peace. This country needs development. The country needs widows and orphans to recover from war trauma attitude. This country needs education,\u201d said the president at his first public rally since the conflict broke out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be reconciliation and forgiveness, the forgiveness will not be today, but it must happen for the sake of having a peaceful country, not warlord country,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The event, attended by thousands of citizens, was organised by the SPLM youth wing as part of its mobilisation campaign under the theme, \u201cone nation, one people\u201d.<\/p>\n
The South Sudanese leader further stressed the importance of national reconciliation as the young nation grapples with a conflict that nearly caused civil war.<\/p>\n
Violence erupted in the South Sudan capital in mid-December last year, but later extended to its states of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity, leaving thousands dead and nearly a million homeless.<\/p>\n
ATTACKS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the South Sudanese leader described his former deputy Riek Machar as \u201can enemy of peace and progress in South Sudan,\u201d directly referring to the latter\u2019s alleged involvement in what he said was a coup attempt against his leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy brother Riek Machar has hurt [the] people of South Sudanese after he made a mistake to become a rebel leader again in the nation. He assumes himself to be a democratic man, but his heart does not apply democracy,\u201d a visibly angry Kiir said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is now a great shame worldwide that newest nation South Sudan has insurgency,\u201d he added, while urging the country\u2019s citizens to work for peace.<\/p>\n
Machar, despite the president\u2019s claims, denies any involvement in any coup attempt and instead accuses the latter of falsely implicating him in a bid to silence opposition within the SPLM.<\/p>\n
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