Mediators at the Addis Ababa talks put the opposing South Sudanese delegations in one room today at noon for a direct meeting that lasted ten minutes, then adjourned until this evening at the earliest.
During the meeting views of the parties were shared on the draft cessation of hostilities agreement that had been prepared by mediators last week.
No statements were made by the negotiators after the meeting but Radio Tamazuj learnt that the talks have been adjourned until the return of the lead mediator this evening.
Seyoun Mesfin, the Ethiopian diplomat leading the mediation on behalf of the regional body IGAD, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, reportedly traveled to Juba today to meet with President Salva Kiir.
Upon his expected return this evening the talks may resume. According to Lazaro Sumbeiywo, a retired Kenyan general leading the mediation together with Mesfin, the talks are still currently focused on a ceasefire agreement.
“We are on the agenda of cessation of hostilities. We have harmonized the two papers from the two delegations and that is where we are at the moment, trying to thrash out any issues that may have not been clear to either of the parties,” said Sumbeiywo.
Photo: A meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa between the two South Sudanese delegations in Addis Ababa with mediators from neighboring states, 13 January 2014 (Radio Tamazuj)