Chief mediator briefs Bashir on IGAD efforts to end S. Sudan conflict

August 3, 2014 (KHARTOUM) –The Intergovernmental Authority for Development’s (IGAD) chief mediator, Seyoum Mesfim of Ethiopia, has briefed Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir on ongoing efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan.

Before to arrive to the Sudanese capital on Sunday Mesfim was in Nairobi where he participated in a meeting held by the, Kenyan, South Sudanese Ugandan presidents and the Ethiopian prime minister on Friday. The four leaders agreed on the need to seal a peace agreement and to conclude the peace process.

Also IGAD officials said that the mediation spent over 17 million dollars to cover the spending of the peace talks adding they need more as no tangible progress is achieved.

Mesfim told reporters on Sunday that the meeting comes within the context of briefing IGAD heads of state and government on the efforts being exerted to reach peace and achieve stability in South Sudan and the preparations underway for convening the next round of negotiations between the two South Sudanese sides.

The former Ethiopian foreign minister said he briefed the Sudanese president on the results reached so far during the past rounds of negotiations. He further said he was in Kenya last week within the same context.

The mediators accused in the past months the warring parties of seeking military victory over each other. They also delayed the talks a different times as little progress is achieved since January when a cessation of hostilities deal was signed.

Mesfim said he listened to views of president Bashir and his inputs with regards to the coming round of talks that is set to be taking place on Monday.

The chief mediator further said that the upcoming round aims to reach a lasting peace agreement to end to the seven-month war in South Sudan.

He stressed that the South Sudan conflict could only be resolved through dialogue.

He stressed that IGAD would work hand in hand with the African Union and other international partners to help the two sides to the conflict reach a solution and attain a lasting peace in South Sudan.

(ST)