Britain urges compromise in upcoming S.Sudan peace talks

JUBA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Britain on Wednesday urged warring parties in South Sudan to reach compromise in the next round of talks and uphold the signed December Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities (ACOH) last year.

British Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin said in a statement that London welcomes the resumption of peace talks in South Sudan next week and the consultations that are now underway, but raised concern about the continued failure to reach compromise agreement amid violation of the ACOH.

"It is disappointing that we once again find ourselves in a position where the cessation of hostilities agreement reached at the last set of talks has not held, and the talks have so far failed to generate serious commitment to compromise," Baldwin said.

"This is a critical moment for the peace process and we remain strongly in support of regional efforts to bring about a lasting peace," she said.

Baldwin reiterated that only a negotiated agreement can bring peace in South Sudan and create the conditions for elections.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after the outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016. Enditem