South Sudan peace talks in Addis enter fourth day

From left: Igad exective secretary Mahmoud Maalim, acting head of South Sudan's delegation Makuei Lueth, Igad envoys Lazarus Sumbeiywo, Seyoum Mesfim and Mohamed Ahmed al-Dabi, head of South Sudan's rebel delegation Taban Deng during a joint press conference in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on January 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO/JACEY FORTIN 

In Summary

• The two teams noted the gravity of the situation and urgent need to resolve the crisis in the world's youngest nation.
• They were reminded of the long-drawn liberation struggle that culminated in the independence of South Sudan.

By BONIFACE MEENA
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Talks to help end fighting in South Sudan went on for the fourth day in Addis Ababa with the two warring parties agreeing on guidelines for the negotiations.


 

Representatives of President Salva Kiir’s government and those of former Vice-President Riek Machar had three sessions of face-to-face negotiations on Tuesday.

Under the mediation of Special Envoys-- Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, General, Lazaro Sumbeiywo and General Mohamed Ahmed Mustafa Eldab--the parties agreed to the modalities, rules of procedure, structure and terms of reference.

The two teams noted the gravity of the situation and urgent need to resolve the crisis in the world's youngest nation.

They were reminded of the long-drawn liberation struggle that culminated in the independence of South Sudan.

STATUS OF DETAINEES

Amb Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), expressed confidence that the two teams would tackle the substantive agenda of the dialogue; cessation of hostilities and status of the detainees. (READ: US urges Kiir to release political detainees)

Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed on Monday said the peace talks were on track.

According to her, it is only the dialogue that will give an indication of how quickly a cessation of the hostilities will occur.

Orange Democratic Movement party leaders also condemned the fighting in South Sudan.

Prof Anyang Nyongo, party secretary general, said: “We call upon neighboring countries to facilitate peace talk in South Sudan to end the crisis,” said Prof Nyongo.