Juba backs Sudan’s mediation role in peace talks

March 13, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Friday downplayed reports claiming one of its officials opposed Sudan’s involvement in the peace process and the choice of Ethiopia as venue for the ongoing negotiations.

The South Sudanese deputy envoy to Kenya, James Pitia Morgan, said future talks should be moved to Kenya from Ethiopia after mediators failed to convince the warring parties on a deal last week.

He said involving Ethiopia and Sudan was “domineering” the peace talks.

“The next round of peace talks should be out of Ethiopia and Sudan should be excluded from being a mediator, since it controls, trains and arms the rebels,” Pitia was quoted saying.

But South Sudan’s foreign minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Sudan was participating in the mediation on the basis of being an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member state.

It was the assembly of the regional bloc, which decided on the composition of the mediation team when conflict erupted, stressed Marial.

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar failed to resolve the contentious issues in the peace process after days of direct negotiations in Ethiopia.

(ST)