By Bida Elly David
South Sudan said it won’t relent its mediation efforts in aiding Sudan to restore peace amid the pressing on-going humanitarian crisis facing war survivors at entry points into the country.
“President Kiir in his calls to the Burhan and Hemedti has committed to push the (two rivals) into Juba talks if they agree,” acting minister of foreign affair, Deng Dau Deng told No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
He said that although South Sudan hosts greater population with shortage of humanitarian (aid), it will endeavor the two parties to restore everlasting peace, rather than to leave Sudan to suffer.
According to the minister, although South Sudan struggles with ways to feed the returnees and refugees, efforts to invite Sudan’s rivaling parties to dialogue in Juba remains a priority.
He said South Sudan remains enthusiastic as the mediating head of the IGAD committee to the Sudan conflict after meeting of representatives of the two military rivals, in Jeddah of Saudi Arabia.
Acknowledging Sudan’s contribution during the recent South Sudan conflict until the parties to the conflict ceased fire, Dau stressed that Juba won’t turn its back on Khartoum, regardless of the situation.
Minister Deng stated that the two rival generals after thorough communication with the IGAD body through president Kiir have agreed to hold a separate talk despite the on-going negotiation in Jeddah.
He further added that the struggle of South Sudan to ensure availability of water, food, shelter, electricity to the Sudan war evacuees remains their struggle as the two negotiate.
According to Dau the trust, the two parties bestowed upon president Kiir to lead the IGAD mediation team, is enroot for meaningful truce in Sudan won’t go in vain.
Recently, a General Al-Burkan’s envoy led by Ambassador Abdallah Al-Haj Ali visited South Sudan for direct talks with President Salva Kiir, in Juba.
Ambassador Al-Haj Ali briefed President Kiir, that the talks in Saudi Arabia, has not sidelined South Sudan and IGAD role towards bridging the rivals.
He noted that the decision taken by the conflicting parties to undertake negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has not undermined African Union, and IGAD, as mediating bodies to the conflict.
