Mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have announced indefinite adjournment of the Addis Ababa peace talks between the South Sudanese government and the rebels of the armed faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM in Opposition) over inclusivity crisis.
IGAD mediators on Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, announced that the 4th round of the peace talks which prematurely opened on Friday without the participation of the rebel group is “adjourned” until further notice in order to give ample time for further “consultations.”
The Friday round of talks only saw the participation of the government delegation, former SPLM detainees and civil society organizations from the government controlled areas as rebels boycotted.
On Sunday the rebel group led by the former vice president, Riek Machar, said they boycotted the “partial” and “premature” resumption of the talks on Friday, stressing that the selection process for other stakeholders such as the civil society organizations and faith-based groups was unfair and lacked transparency.
The rebels demanded that civil society organizations abroad including those in UNMISS camps in the country be represented, arguing that they were the victims whose views were important for a sustainable peace process.
IGAD on Monday reacted by adjourning the peace talks indefinitely, blaming the rebels for not participating.
Face-to-face talks between the South Sudanese government and rebels in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, resumed on 13 January 2014, with a secured a ceasefire agreement signed later that month
sudantribune
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