By Gladys Fred Kole
South Sudan’s government appeals to the United States of America (USA) to consider supporting the efforts of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve Sudan unrest.
Acting South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Dau Deng shared the initiative at Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of AU Bureau of Assembly, in Nairobi, Kenya.
During the event, Dau held side-lane South Sudan-US bilateral discussion with US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, Ambassador Michele J. Sison, over the Sudan crisis.
According to a bilateral meeting disclosed on the official Facebook page of the foreign ministry, the two diplomats also discussed other issues of regional concern.
“The top of which is the current situation in Sudan and the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.” the Facebook post indicated.
The minister had also discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in South Sudan due to dire pressure from the influx of many refugees and returnees.
Minister Dau also reportedly briefed the US diplomat on the role of H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the immediate South neighbor to Sudan.
He also cited the recent IGAD meeting in Djibouti and the subsequent summit in Cairo by the immediate neighbors of Sudan.
The IGAD meeting followed several ceasefires brokered by the United States of America and Saudi Arabia that failed, as fighting spread to other major towns of Sudan.
The armed conflict ensued between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) under Gen. al Burkan and his then, deputy turned rival, Gen. Dagalo who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF).
According to UN, at least 169,069 people in a devastating situation from Sudan have arrived in South Sudan since mid-April that marked the beginning of the crisis.
The UN said the crisis in Sudan continues to devastate civilian populations, and the situation continues to worsen.
It added that the number of arrivals is projected to continue increasing as the conflict in Sudan continues.
Since beginning of the conflict, over 3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations.