Kenyan leader in Ethiopia over South Sudan peace talks
Xinhua, August 16, 2015 Adjust font size:
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta went to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday to attend a regional summit on South Sudan peace process.
A statement issued by the presidency said Kenyatta will attend the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit convened by IGAD PLUS backed mediators.
"IGAD-PLUS peace initiative includes the IGAD, AU, five African countries, Troika countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway), the European Union, the United Nations, and China," the statement said.
Despite resumption of peace talks last week, fighting continues in the country. The warring parties have signed seven peace agreements since eruption of the civil war 20 months ago, but failed to honor them.
Key issues of disagreement include a power-sharing proposal between the government and rebels which is part of a peace plan put forward by IGAD PLUS initiative.
The East Africa's bloc issued a statement Saturday, saying it expects both President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to be present in Addis Ababa to negotiate in good faith and sign an agreement on Aug. 17.
An estimated 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict in South Sudan and more than 2 million have fled their homes since fighting erupted in December 2013. Enditem