Mediators of the eight-nation bloc IGAD formally opened another round of South Sudanese peace negotiations in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, even though one of the invited parties failed to turn up to the talks.
Government and rebel SPLM/A-IO delegates attended the ceremony, but representatives of the Juba-based non-armed opposition were blocked from traveling to the talks, including SPLM-DC leader Lam Akol.
Minister of Information Michael Makuei confirmed to Radio Tamazuj from the venue of the talks that the opening ceremony began Thursday with the participation of the government and rebel delegations.
Dhieu Mathok, a member of the SPLM-IO delegation, said that the opening session launched on Thursday. He said they would hold consultative meetings on the IGAD proposal as well as decide on amendments to the proposal. He confirmed also that the government had sent a full delegation to the talks.
For his part, Lam Akol confirmed he was prevented from traveling to the talks, telling Radio Tamazuj that he should be allowed to participate in this round of negotiations.
A member of the SPLM-G10 delegation, Oyai Deng Ajak, told Radio Tamazuj that the participation of Lam Akol in the talks is necessary and his name is on the list of participants. He said they did not know the reasons why he was prevented by the government from traveling to the talks.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, chief mediators Seyoum Mesfin said, “We have now reached a critical juncture whereby participants of this phase will make decisions that may impact the destiny of the people of South Sudan.”
“You have had enough time to consult, since the proposals are the very same issues that you have been discussing for the last 19 months,” Seyoum added, as quoted by Reuters.
IGAD has set a deadline of 17 August for the warring parties to strike a deal to end the war in South Sudan. Should the talks fail, supporters of IGAD including the Troika countries have claimed that they will impose new sanctions on individuals obstructing peace.
However, IGAD itself has not said what it will do if the parties miss the 17 August deadline.
Photo: Government delegation leading member and Minister of Information Michael Makuei