Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth met President Kiir in Washington, D.C

For Immediate Release
8/8/2014
The delegation of the Government of South Sudan that attended US-Africa summit in Washington, D.C, would like to inform the media that Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth met President Kiir on Thursday at JW Marriott Hotel. Prior to that, Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth met Mr. Akot Lual Arec, Presidential Envoy for Murle, at JW Marriott hotel on Wednesday and discussed peace and unity of the people South Sudan. Ambassador Gatkuoth expressed a commitment to work towards ending the crisis facing the country and agreed to assist the government in bringing tranquility in Eastern Upper Nile state, particularly Jikany land. As somebody from Jikany clan of Upper Nile state, Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth agreed to talk to Jikany who had rebelled to reach a peace deal with the government of South Sudan.
On Thursday, Ambassador Lol Gatkuoth met President Kiir face to face and the two had a discussion for an hour. President Kiir told Ambassador Gatkuoth that he appreciated the work he had done for his country when he was Government of South Sudan Representative to US from 2005 to 2011. The President told him that what South Sudan wanted right now is unity and peace. The President quoted John 14 in the Bible where Jesus Christ told his disciples not to worry because “there are so many rooms in my kingdom that would house all of you”. The president told Ambassador Gatkuoth that the people of South need him.
Ambassador Gatkuoth made it abundantly clear that peace is the only thing that would resolve the current crisis. He promised that he would talk to Jikany to seek peace with the government of South Sudan by renouncing violence. Ambassador Gatkuoth agreed to travel to Jikany territory to talk to rebel commanders to prioritize peace with the government.
President Kiir informed Ambassador Gatkuoth that he is welcomed back to the government and would resume his duties as an Ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade until the next reshuffle. The President agreed to include him in the next reshuffle so that he holds a political post within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to spread the word of peace globally.
For contact:
Gordon Buay
Member of Presidential Delegation to US-Africa summit
Washington, D.C.
Email: [email protected]