South Sudan Cancels IGAD Summit As Ethiopia Voices Concern On Uganda's Role
22 January 2014
Juba/Addis Ababa - The South Sudanese government announced today the
cancellation of a regional meeting that was scheduled for Thursday in Juba
citing the upcoming African Union (AU) summit later this month.
Heads of state and governments as well as representatives from the
international organizations and foreign diplomats were expected to
participate at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit
which authorities said was dedicated to discussing the unfolding political
crisis in the world's newest nation.
"I would like to confirm that the president had just announced cancellation
of the summit at the ambassadorial meeting because of the African Union
meeting which is planned to take place in Addis Ababa", Ambassador Mawien
Makol, spokesperson for South Sudanese ministry of foreign affairs and
international cooperation told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
The IGAD foreign ministers meeting which was planned to be held on
Wednesday, a day ahead of the leaders' meeting is also cancelled.
Mediators have not yet commented on why the two meetings were cancelled. No
new timetable was announced.
The summit was expected to specifically push the two warring parties to sign
a ceasefire agreement as ongoing peace talks in neighboring Ethiopia
continue to stall.
South Sudanese political rivals on Tuesday began direct talks on the second
and sensitive issue of releasing political prisoners after wrapping up
discussions on cessation of hostilities.
PROGRESS OF ADDIS ABABA TALKS:
The two sides have concluded the prime issue of cessation of hostilities
after managing to narrow their differences on the wording of the draft text
prepared by IGAD mediators.
Rebel negotiators on Tuesday confirmed to Sudan Tribune that they have
accepted the final proposal on cessation of hostilities but still expressed
reservations on Uganda military intervention. They revealed that they have
filed complaint on this to IGAD.
South Sudan government negotiators have yet to say whether they will accept
the cessation of hostilities proposal.
The direct talks on the release of political prisoners begin today after
South Sudan government key negotiators including Minister of Information,
Michael Makuei returned to Addis Ababa from Juba last night along with head
of IGAD mediators' team, former Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin.
There was no sign of development on talks today's over the release of the 11
pro-rebel political figures who remain detained in Juba on suspicion of
links to an alleged coup attempt last month.
The venue of talks was moved today from the luxurious Addis Ababa Sheraton
Hotel to the newly opened Saro-Maria hotel near Addis Ababa Bole
international Airport.
UGANDA MILITARY INTERVENTION:
Uganda's military intervention in South Sudan is being considered as another
major setback to the efforts of quickly resolving political crises in South
Sudan, says an official in Addis Ababa.
"We see Uganda's military intervention as an emerging obstacle to the peace
process" Ethiopian official at Ministry of foreign Affairs told Sudan
Tribune on a condition of anonymity.
He further stressed that this is preventing both sides from reaching a peace
deal.
"Uganda's role in south Sudan is not helping in any way to the peace
process. It only is complicating the situation" the official said adding
that "Uganda's move could be labeled as contrary to the IGAD-led mediation
efforts".
As IGAD chair and a host nation of the peace talks, Ethiopia is not happy
with Uganda's unilateral move which is also a member of the regional bloc.
IGAD leaders are expected to discuss the Uganda's "negative role" in the
coming days, said the official.
The ongoing peace talks were dealt a setback after Uganda's president Yoweri
Museveni admitted last week that his army was involved in battle along with
South Sudan army (SPLA) against forces loyal to former vice president Riek
Machar.
Rebel negotiators later today accused Juba of seeking a way out from signing
a ceasefire because they don't want Ugandan troops to pull out from South
Sudan.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune, an observer said government forces have
recaptured all rebel held towns of Bentiu, Malakal and Bor and that signing
truce might now be seen by Juba government as "meaningless".
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Received on Wed Jan 22 2014 - 15:54:13 EST