By Ephraim Modi Duku Sokiri
The two warring parties in the Sudan’s political unrest have agreed to a seven days truce, starting on the 4the to 11th of May as well to name their representatives to the peace talks at their places of convenience.
South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Spokesperson, Pauline Adhong Malok revealed this in a statement on 2nd May 2023, in Juba.
“The two principals, H.E Gen. Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, the Chairperson of the Sudan Sovereignty Council and Commander in Chief of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to name their representatives to the talks,” she said.
The development was reportedly reached at following a tele phone conversation between President Salva Kiir Mayardit with the Sudanese leaders.
” During their conversation, they discussed matters relating to the ceasefire and naming of their representatives to the peace talks to be agreed at their venues of choice” the ministry’s. mouthpiece added.
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since a long-simmering power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.
President Kiir who leads the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) team to mediate the Sudan crisis, urged the two political leaders to propose a date to commence the talks as soon as possible.
Pauline said, President Kiir also pressed the two leaders to actualize the seven days truce to achieve a milestone since the humanitarian crisis in Khartoum is rapidly deteriorating, calling for the leaders to de-escalate.
She, as well mentioned that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation has been in close coordination with the regional counterparts and international community pertaining to the matters in Sudan.
“The acting minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Deng Dau Deng has conferred with responsible ministries of the neighboring countries and other development partners on matters pertaining cessation of hostilities, humanitarian situation and evacuation of Sudanese and foreign nationals affected by the violence” she said.
The spokesperson also echoed that similar incidences were discussed at various levels as the government of South Sudan continues to engage the two leaders of Sudan in the hope of achieving sustainable ceasefire and cessation of hostilities that can pave a way for an amicable political settlement.
Sudan’s rival military forces have accused each other of violations of a ceasefire as their deadly conflict persisted on for a fourth week despite warnings of sliding into civil war.