S. Sudan postpones IGAD summit due to scheduling issues

May 2, 2014 (JUBA) – A regional heads of states and government meeting due to be held in the the South Sudan capital, Juba, on Saturday has been postponed due to scheduling issues.

Mawien Makol Arik, the spokesperson for the foreign affairs ministry, told Sudan Tribune that a later day would be determined in consultation with member countries of the East African regional bloc (IGAD).

“Due to other businesses and other commitments, it is going to be impossible to for the IGAD [meeting] to take place,” said Makol.

“The government is accelerating peace discussions and president Salva Kiir’s administration is committed to peace talks,” he added.

The cancellation of Saturday’s gathering was also confirmed by a member of the IGAD negotiating team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Yes, the meeting was cancelled at about 10am (local time) today (Friday),” the official said, without providing further details.

IGAD is mediating stalled peace talks between the South Sudanese government and rebels forces led by former vice-president Riek Machar.

The third phase of peace talks resumed this week amid ongoing violence in the country. A January ceasefire deal brokered by IGAD has so far failed to halt the conflict on the ground.

(ST)