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Roundup: Final session of South Sudan peace talks launched in Ethiopia's capital

Xinhua, February 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The final session of the IGAD- led South Sudan peace process kicked off on Monday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has been mediating the South Sudan negotiations to end the conflict erupted in mid December 2013 in the world newest nation.

Though the warring parties signed agreements through the mediation of the East African bloc, conflict has continued in South Sudan, claiming lives and displacing citizens of the country.

The peace process launched Monday is expected to make progress and usher in a new era of peace in South Sudan.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar signed agreement on Feb. 1 this year in Addis Ababa to end the conflict, and that final round of peace talks would resume on Feb. 20 with the aim of finalizing a comprehensive peace agreement no later than March 5.

Reiterating distress that violations have continued after the Feb. 1 agreement, Seyoum Mesfin, IGAD chief mediator, underlined that the already reached agreement must be respected.

"Genuine compromise and dialogue must take place. The agreed March 5 deadline to conclude negotiations must be respected, so that the pre-transitional period can begin on April 1, and the transitional government of national unity formed no later than July 9 of this year," noted Seyoum.

"I must repeat my distress, and that of my colleagues the Special Envoys, that violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement have continued after the February 1 agreement," he said.

He stated that verified reports on breaches of the agreement would be forwarded to the IGAD chairperson, to the African Union (AU), and the UN as per the terms of the Feb 1 agreement.

"The whole world is watching the conflict in South Sudan, and we call on IGAD, the AU, the UN and all international partners to join us in calling for an end to the conflict," said Seyoum.

He disclosed that thematic committees on transitional security arrangements, economy, justice and humanitarian affairs and the leadership and governance committee would resume work on Tuesday.

"These committees must be serious and make real progress. Much work has been done to close the gap between the positions of the negotiating parties," he said.

"March 5 is less than two weeks away, so, we must work swiftly and effectively. Let us not disappoint the people of South Sudan any longer," he noted.

Representatives of South Sudan stakeholders and international partners have made statements emphasizing on the need to end the conflict and bring about peace in the East African nation. Endi