IGAD mediators urge S. Sudan rebels to immediately cease hostilities

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

October 30, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) special envoys have strongly condemned the fresh clashes that occurred between South Sudan’s warring parties, urging opposition forces to immediately cease hostilities.

The fresh fighting, which began earlier this week, could derail the IGAD-led peace talks, despite the recent a breakthrough to end the ongoing conflict in the young nation.

The SPLM-in-Opposition on Wednesday claimed that their forces were in control of Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, a claim a government army spokesperson dismissed.

Although the two rivals continue to trade accusations on who instigated the latest attack, IGAD mediators have pointed fingers at rebels.

“The ongoing fighting in and around Bentiu, Unity State demonstrates that the SPLM/A (In Opposition) has yet to abandon the option of war” the regional bloc said in a statement.

While urging the rebel to immediately cease hostilities, the regional mediators called on government forces to demonstrate maximum restraint and for all parties to give peace a chance.

“The IGAD Envoys renew their call to the parties to adhere to their commitments, particularly the requirements of the CoH Agreement to end the recruitment and mobilization of forces, including that of child soldiers, the acquisition of arms and ammunition, and all possible military provocation”

The latest development occurred despite significant progress in the peace talks in Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar city, where the two parties reached a breakthrough on major steps to resolve their differences particularly on a negotiated settlement on a power-sharing agreement.

IGAD’s chief envoy, Seyoum Mesfin said on Thursday that the two rival leaders agreed to meet at a regional heads of state summit, expected to held this week.

The two rival leaders, according to Mesfin, will discuss the “critical issues of sharing power in the top executive” during the transitional period.

“They will be the ones to negotiate what would be the power that they would share, or define the duties and obligations and powers of the president, the vice president, of the prime minister and deputy prime ministers, or even shatter this structure”, he said.

Some politicians, however, fear that the latest clashes could disrupt the planned meeting between president Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar.

(ST)