South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has announced plans to host representatives of Sudanese political leaders in the capital, Juba, in a significant effort to bring an end to the brutal six-month conflict that has ravaged Sudan.In a statement from President Kiir’s press unit, it was confirmed that the meeting is scheduled to take place next week. However, the statement did not specify which leaders would be attending the talks.
President Kiir issued a heartfelt appeal to both military and political leaders in Sudan, urging them to seek resolution to the ongoing conflict through peaceful dialogue.
He made this call on Monday evening after receiving a briefing from Sudan’s Sovereign Council’s deputy chairman, Malik Agar Eyre, regarding the latest developments in Sudan.
Tut Gatluak Manime, the national security adviser to South Sudan’s president, indicated that Sudan’s leaders would review the Juba Peace Agreement, originally signed in 2020 between the transitional government and rebel factions, in their pursuit of finding a way to resolve the current crisis.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April, has seen the Sudanese army pitted against their former allies, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This protracted conflict has resulted in a devastating toll, with thousands of lives lost and over five million people displaced, according to estimates by the United Nations. Recently, the conflict reached the six-month mark.
Analysts believe that President Kiir, with his regional influence and diplomatic experience, is well-positioned to mediate between Sudan’s rival factions.
In June, the East African regional bloc, Igad, had appointed Kenyan President William Ruto to lead a quartet mediation team aiming to resolve Sudan’s crisis. However, the Sudanese army rejected this Kenyan-led initiative, accusing President Ruto of maintaining strategic relations with the RSF. Kenya vehemently denied these allegations.
This upcoming dialogue in Juba is seen as a crucial step towards ending the conflict that has plagued Sudan for half a year, and the international community is watching closely for developments in this peace process.
By xamse
October 17, 2023
