Alfred Taban says President needs to give more details on peace progress

Yesterday, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit addressed thousands of people gathered at the John Garang Memorial Park to mark the nation's fourth anniversary.

He spoke about economic troubles and the violence that has rocked the nation for the past 19 months as well as calling for a minutes silence to remember those who have been lost in the fight for independence.

Alfred Taban, Editor of the Juba Monitor newspaper and Chairman of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan says in general the speech "gave a lot of hope and it was realistic".

However, he says mentioning the peace process is not enough. He told Radio Miraya the President should have "gone further" to tell the public when peace talks will resume as well as detailing a concrete plan to resolve the conflict.