South Sudan rivals resume peace talks in Ethiopian capital
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
December 18, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Peace negotiations between the South Sudanese government and the country’s rebel faction resumed on Thursday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa
The talks, which are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), were initially due to resume on Wednesday, but were delayed after the government’s chief negotiator and other officials failed to arrive in Addis Ababa in time.
Thursday’s meeting was held in the absence of IGAD chief negotiator, Seyoum Mesfin who is overseas for undisclosed reasons.
IGAD officials declined to provide details about his trip when approached by Sudan Tribune, saying only he will be back on Sunday.
IGAD special envoy General Lazarus Sumbeiywo of Kenya who chaired the session on behalf of Mesfin called on the parties to demonstrate the necessary political will during the fresh round of talks to end what he described as a “year of horror and tragedy”.
The two conflicting parties have engaged in fresh clashes recent weeks, in violation of a cessation of hostilities agreement signed in January and recommitted to in May.
“Such actions (truce violations) are completely unacceptable,” said Mesfin in remarks read by Sumbeiywo, urging both parties to fully engage in the peace process.
He added that IGAD and the international community remained “profoundly disappointed by these outrageous actions”.
Conflict in South Sudan broke out on 15 December 2013 after a dispute within the ruling SPLM party led to a confrontation between president Salva Kiir’s troops and fighters loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar, who was sacked last July.
The UN says at least 10,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out, although the International Crisis Group says the figure could be as high as 50,000.
IGAD security director Tewolde Gebremeskel said the peace talks were at a “critical juncture” and that expectations remained high for real progress during the latest round of negotiations.
He has urged the rival parties to set aside their political differences and prioritise the interests of their people.
The latest conflict in South Sudan has reignited tribal tensions and pushed the young nation to the brink of famine.
According to the UN, millions of South Sudanese are at risk of hunger and disease.
“The danger of famine looms large; about a million people are at risk,” he said.
Gebremeskel said it is hoped the two factions would strike a sustainable peace deal before the New Year.
As well as the rebel and government delegations, former political detainees, civil society organisations and faith-based groups are also taking part in the talks.
The negotiation is expected to continue for a week with proposed power-sharing arrangements and the formation of a transitional government of national unity top of the agenda.
Peace talks have ben hampered by ongoing delays and fresh outbreaks of violence, with both sides failing to strike a lasting peace deal.
The ongoing conflict has also displaced an estimated two million people, with tens of thousands sheltering at UN sites across the country, with many more fleeing to neighbouring countries as refugees.
(ST)