David Yau Yau is said to have responded to President Salva Kiir’s renewed call for amnesty by stating that he wishes peace talks to begin, though under certain conditions.

Yau Yau stated that he is ready to speak with members of the High Level Peace Committee chaired by Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul.

He will not, however, enter discussions with regional authorities, nor with the governor of Jonglei. Yau Yau further stated that he seeks ‘international participation,’ notably by UNMISS, as he does not trust the government in Juba. 

These revelations were made by the Acting Governor of Jonglei, Gabriel Gai Riam, during a meeting on Tuesday in Bor with a European Union-led mission to Jonglei, which included seven ambassadors or heads of mission of European and North American countries, and two representatives of the EU.

The governor said that he received a letter on Monday from Pibor Country Commissioner Joshua Konyi stating that he had spoken to Yau Yau on the phone. The commissioner said that he urges Juba to act quickly to take advantage of the situation.

A joint press statement released by the EU, US, Canada and Norway recommended that dialogue should begin immediately, and urged “a political and not a military solution.”

The statement also welcomed the ‘reported recent contacts’ between the county commissioner and David Yau Yau concerning peace talks involving the High Level Peace Committee and a representative of the United Nations.

“We urge all parties concerned to make best use of this window of opportunity as soon as possible and confirm that we stand ready to assist, if so wished,” added the statement by the diplomats.

Photo: Pibor County Commissioner Joshua Konyi (left), 6 August 2013 

Gallery:

(1), (2), (3) Displaced women from the Murle tribe receive food rations in Pibor, eastern Jonglei State.

(4) Ambassadors or Heads of Mission of the EU, Germany, France, the Netherlands, UK, USA, Norway, and Canada, and the EU Special Representative Rosalind Marsden meet with the UNMISS contingent in Pibor.

(5) Ambassador Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, Head of Delegation of the European Union, speaks with UNMISS and SPLA commanders in Pibor.

(6) UNMISS soldiers on patrol in Pibor.

(7) A warehouse in Pibor.