After fighting Khartoum for self-rule, Kiir helps warring parties find peace

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Juba

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Juba, on September 12, 2019. PHOTO | FILE 

When South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9, 2011, it never looked like the new southern neighbour to Khartoum will have any role in pushing for peace.

The youngest country on the continent itself was facing a serious challenge to build institutions from scratch. It had unfinished business with Sudan especially on border demarcation in Abyei area, sharing of resources and cooperating on humanitarian settlements.