In a bid to enhance peace and security in the country, another meeting between President Salva Kiir and the rebel leader Riek Machar will take place in the coming week according to a statement by the Sudanese government on Friday 22nd of June, 2018.
The Sudanese president and the rebel leader met in the Ethiopian capital this week. This was the first meeting both parties had since 2016 when a peace treaty between them became fruitless which led to the deaths of hundreds of south Sudanese citizens in Juba, the country capital.
The meeting to settle both parties convened by Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian prime minister as a member of the regional body of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) initially seems to have positive impact and hope to end the five (5) year civil war, only for the terms of the meeting to be rejected by both parties thereby dashing any hopes of settlement.
Despite the hiccup in Wednesday’s meeting between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar in Ethiopia, “Preparations are afoot to give a new impetus to this new round of talks and ensure a successful outcome” according to Sudanese Foreign Affairs minister. The minister stated that next week’s meeting would be convened by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, another key player in South Sudan’s history.
