Formal talks to end South Sudan conflict continue

South Sudanese rebel delegation chief Taban Deng (R) shakes hands with South Sudanese leader of the government's delegation Nial Deng Nial on January 4, 2014 during talks in Addis Ababa. PHOTO | SOLAN GEMECHU  AFP

In Summary

• Igad is attempting to broker a deal to end weeks of conflict that has killed over 1,000 people and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes

By LUCAS BARASA
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Parties to the South Sudan conflict have started formal negotiations with a view to ending the violence.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development executive secretary Mahboub Maalim said the formal talks started on Saturday.

He said the talks follow two days of extensive proxy talks that sought to understand key issues as well as agree on agenda items and modalities for negotiations.

Mr Mahboub stated that the two days of talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were marked by ‘positive’ engagement of the negotiating teams. “This is in line with the call made by the Igad Summit of Heads of State and Government on 27 December 2013, for dialogue and a speedy resolution of the crisis through peaceful means,” Mr Mahboub said.

Mr Mahboub said the negotiations will focus on cessation of hostilities and the question of detainees.

He commended the work of Igad Special Envoys Seyoum Mesfin of Ethiopia and Gen (rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiywo of Kenya “as well as the continued resolve and strong support by Igad Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr Tedros Adhanom”.

Mr Mahboub expressed Igadʼs confidence and that of the Special Envoys that the negotiations would bear fruit and ensure a speedy return to normalcy, peace and stability in South Sudan.

Igad is attempting to broker a deal to end weeks of conflict that has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. According to the UN, the death toll as a result of the conflict is in the thousands. (EXTERNAL LINK: 'Thousands dead' in South Sudan)

Fighting erupted in Juba on December 17 following an alleged attempted coup on President Salva Kiir's government. President Kiir accused former Vice-President Riek Machar whom he sacked in July for being behind the attempted coup.

Earlier, warring parties in South Sudan had dashed hopes of a swift ceasefire by delaying direct talks. (READ: S. Sudan rivals delay direct talks)

While top leaders of the government and rebel teams had briefly met directly, the rivals had continued to hold separate talks with negotiators.