Ethiopian PM and UNMISS chief discuss S. Sudan crisis

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

October 14, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia’s prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, and the new special representative of the United Nations secretary-general to South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Loej, met on Monday in Addis Ababa where the two sides held talks on the crises and current situations of South Sudan.

The duo explored ways of how the ongoing fighting between South Sudan’s warring parties could be put to an end, Ethiopian officials said on Tuesday.

The conflict which erupted in mid December last year following political dispute within the ruling SPLM party has claimed the lives of thousands and uprooted more than 1.5 million people from their homes.

During the talks, Desalegn reportedly reiterated his country’s commitment to continue exerting maximum efforts to find durable political solution to the crises between the two SPLM factions.

To attain sustainable peace for the interest and aspirations of South Sudanese, the Ethiopian leader is said to have underscored the need of more political will from the leaders of the two warring faction to strike lasting peace deal.

He appealed to the international community to extend its sustained support to assist in the stabilisation of the young East African nation.

Meanwhile, Loej commended the role being played by Ethiopia to end South Sudan’s conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people since it broke out late last year.

The UN official stressed the importance of the international community in expediting its support for the people affected by the ongoing conflict.

She further expressed support for the mediation efforts led by the East African regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Ethiopia, which chairs IGAD, plays a central role in South Sudan’s mediation process.

Since January the horn of Africa’s nation is hosting negotiations between the two South Sudan’s conflicting parties in Addis Ababa.

Although the two sides have, in the past managed to ink cease fire agreement, lack of commitment to implement it has subjected the young nation deeper into a crisis. Peace talks are considered the best way to amicably resolve the current conflict.

(ST)