Ethiopian PM expected at S. Sudan’s independence anniversary
June 6, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The South Sudanese government has extended to the Ethiopian prime minister an invitation from president Salva Kiir to attend the country’s fourth independence anniversary celebration due in the capital, Juba next month.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July 2011 months after its citizens overwhelmingly voted for separation in a self-determination referendum held after several years of civil war.
The Ethiopian prime minister and his counterpart reportedly discussed ways of ending South Sudan’s ongoing conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced millions.
Marial, however, assured his Ethiopian counterpart during the visit his government’s commitment to honor the Arusha declaration with the aim of ending the ongoing crisis.
He said South Sudan government supports the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediation role and was committed to implement the cessation of hostilities deals it signed with the armed opposition faction fighting the Juba regime.
Talks between government and rebels led by the country’s former vice president, Riek Machar stalled in March, prompting the mediators to initiate an IGAD-Plus arrangement involving five African nations, the African Union, United Nations and the Troika countries.
(ST).