A six-party consultative committee in Khartoum on South Sudan’s political crisis announced an agreement on five points between the main warring parties Monday.
The agreement called for an immediate cease-fire and end to hostilities between the SPLA-Juba and SPLA-In Opposition, plus the formation of a transitional government to run the country’s affairs.
The meeting, facilitated by China, lasted for several hours in Khartoum and was attended by foreign ministers of Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and China, besides IGAD chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin and SPLA-IO chief negotiator Taban Deng.
The Khartoum conference was part of the IGAD-mediated peace talks since January last year between the SPLA-Juba led by President Salva Kiir and SPLA-In Opposition of Riek Machar.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Karti said the two sides agreed to fast-track negotiations to implement the transitional government.
“There was also an agreement to facilitate and ensure secure access of humanitarian aid by the international community for the citizens of South Sudan, as well as support to the efforts exerted by IGAD to bring about peace in South Sudan,” he said.
Chinese efforts
The Sudanese minister said the agreement was reached after separate consultations between the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the parties to the conflict as well as the other parties involved before the meeting started.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “with this agreement we are sending one message to the world to encourage the parties to the conflict so that they adhere to serious peace talks.”
SPLM-IO leading member Sebit Magok told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that the Chinese government proposed the reduction of transit fees for South Sudan oil through the Sudanese territories due to drop of oil prices in international markets.
IGAD chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin commended China’s efforts for peace in South Sudan. He described the agreement reached as an important step toward peace. He added they will build on the points agreed by the two parties during the upcoming IGAD summit on the South Sudan crisis.
In a statement, rebel negotiator Taban Deng also thanked the Chinese as well as the Sudanese for their diplomatic efforts.