IGAD-LED SOUTH SUDAN PEACE TALKS TO RESUME ON 30 JULY

                             
                   PRESS RELEASE (IGAD)
23 July 2014, Addis Ababa: Following the adjournment of the Fourth Session of IGADled South Sudan Peace Process in Addis Ababa on 23rd June 2014, the IGAD Special Envoys have carried out broad consultations with various actors and stakeholders in the South Sudan peace Process.

The main objective of the consultations was to take stock of the progress, challenges and chart the way forward, particularly in the implementation of the resolutions of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government Summit meeting of 10th June 2014. 

The resolutions of the Summit included the commitment by the two Principals to the conflict, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) and Dr. Riek Machar, former Vice-President of the RSS and leader of SPLM/A (in opposition),“to end the war”; and to establish a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) that will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to take the country forward. 

The essence of stopping the war is to create a conducive environment for negotiations; and, facilitate humanitarian operations to reach the needy populations and pre-empt the looming famine in South Sudan that is likely to affect millions of the displaced populations.

The Envoys carried out extensive consultations in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and in Juba during which they met and held discussion with the Principals of the warring Parties; the President of the Republic of South Sudan and the leader of the SPLM/A (in opposition).The Envoys further held consultative meetings with the delegations of stakeholders to the peace process namely: the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the SPLM/A (in Opposition), the SPLM Leaders(Former Detainees), Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations and Faith based Organizations.

All the stakeholders have reiterated their commitment to the negotiation process, which is tentatively scheduled to commence on 30th July 2014 to 10th August 2014.

The agenda of the next session will be to finalize and sign the Cessation of Hostilities Matrix; and negotiation on details of the Transitional Government of National Unity