The following statement was released on Thursday by the Uganda Media Centre at the Office of the President.
It announces a meeting with the rebel group loyal to Riek Machar, the first such high-level meeting since Ugandan troops intervened in South Sudan’s civil war.
Press release by the Government of the Republic of Uganda:
Considering the current undesirable security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan, pursuant to the ongoing IGAD mediated peace process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; aware that the solution of the conflict will not come from the military option but through a political settlement;
Cognisant that the engagement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda Peace Support Team with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) is not a parallel process but complementary to the ongoing IGAD peace process in Addis Ababa;
The SPLM/A-IO delegation led by its Vice-Chairman Gen Alfred Lado Gore met with a Uganda Government Peace Support Team led by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Security and Defence, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh in Kampala from 18th -21st Aug 2014. The talks were opened by Gen J J Odong, State Minister for Defence.
The two delegations discussed the security situation in South Sudan and how it can be resolved through peaceful means. The deliberations took place in cordial environment and agreed to explore all possible ways that can facilitate and quicken the ongoing peace process in Addis Ababa. It was also agreed that the two sides will continue to have regular interactions to fast track the peace process so that South Sudan can return to normalcy.
Kampala- Uganda
21st August 2014
File photo: Yoweri Museveni with Salva Kiir