Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: September 14 (EI) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, has commended the South Sudanese government’s recent initiative to broker a peace deal between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Sudan.
The regional bloc’s statement came following latest peace talks between Sudan’s Sovereign Council and leaders of armed groups in Sudan’s Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions that was held this week in the South Sudanese capital Juba, under a mediation initiative by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“IGAD commends President Salva Kiir Mayardit for his leadership to broker a peace deal between the rebels and the government in the Republic of Sudan,” the eight-member pan African bloc said in a statement on late Friday.
“It is a clear demonstration of the potential role South Sudan can play in the security of the region,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, Sudan’s sovereignty council revealed, in a declaration released after talks held in South Sudan’s capital Juba between representatives of Sudan government and armed groups, that an agreement was made between the disputing parties to hold peace talks on October 14.
The two sides have also agreed to form specialized committees to arrange for the peace negotiations, follow up procedures of releasing the prisoners of war and the convicted ones, supervise measures of cessation of hostilities and approve the monitoring mechanism.
Meanwhile, IGAD also on Friday called on “the international community and the friends of South Sudan to support the positive momentum and expedite their support for the completion of the remaining critical tasks.”
“IGAD is pleased with the positive progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the regional bloc said in a statement on Thursday.
According to IGAD, the face – to – face meeting between Kiir and his former deputy-turned rebel leader Machar, which resulted in a way forward on pending security arrangement issues, “is a significant step in the right direction.”
(PHOTO by REUTERS-Jok Solomun) shows Sudanese officials, rebels and diplomats react after signing the initial agreement on a roadmap for peace talks in Juba, South Sudan, September 11, 2019.
