South Sudan Government Sends Delegation For Next Round Of Peace Talks

JUBA, 06 Aug 2015 [Gurtong]-Ambassador Mawien Makol Ariik, the Spokesperson of the National Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Gurtong in an interview that the delegation includes the Chief Negotiator, Nhial Deng Nhial, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter Bashir Bandy, Michael Majok Yach, SPLM Popular Syndicated Secretariat and Government Spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth.

“Our negotiating team went to Addis Ababa on Wednesday evening and we are hopeful that the next round of talks brings peace to the country” said Amb. Ariik.

“The government has the reservation on the document that was brought to us here and principally the government accepts the IGAD proposal on peace initiative but the government has gone into the document to make some amendment” he explained.

“The delegation has gone back and will share the changes with the IGAD mediating team. We hope that those changes will be accepted and be tabled in the next round of talks that is coming up on the 17th August this month. There are many issues that the government has made reservation; things to do with the two armies, percentage ratio share to Greater Upper Nile. These are the issues that the government is concerned about in the IGAD proposal” he stressed.

Ambassador Arrik said that there is hope that a peace agreement will be reached in the next round of talks.

“The government of the Republic of South Sudan has been looking for peace since day one till now and will ensure peace is brought back to the country. We have the responsibility to bring peace to this country.”

The Foreign Affairs Spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment in bringing peace.

Amb. Ariik applauded the role of the IGAD and region in helping the South Sudan negotiate and restore peace.