Salva Kiir says Sudan Warring Generals Ready for Peace Talks

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan says it has obtained the consent of the two parties to the current conflict in Sudan to name their representatives to peace talks to be held at any venue of their choice.

According to South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, on Tuesday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit held a telephone conversation with the Sudanese leaders. 

They stressed the importance of a longer ceasefire and naming of representatives to peace talks to be held at an agreed venue. 

“The two principals, H.E. Gen. Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, the Chairman of the Sovereign Council and Commander in Chief of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed in principle for a seven-day truce from May 4th to 11th. They also agreed to name their representatives to the talks,” the statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry read.

President Salva Kiir, who is also the team leader of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State tasked with consultations with the Sudanese leaders, urged the Sudanese leaders to name their representatives and propose a date to commence the talks as soon as possible.

The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Khartoum makes it imperative for the leaders to de-escalate, President Kiir told the Sudanese leaders. 

While expressing his appreciation to Gen. Al Burhan and Gen. Dagalo for heeding regional and international calls for a ceasefire, President Kiir urged them to take advantage of the 7-day truce to name representatives and propose the date for beginning the talks.

In line with the initiatives of H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International has also been in contact with his counterparts regionally and internationally. 

The Acting Minister conferred with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, and Canada, in addition to the British Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, dwelling on the issues of ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, humanitarian situation and evacuation of affected Sudanese and foreign nationals as well as the coordination efforts at various levels. 

The South Sudan government further noted that it continues to engage with the leadership of the Republic of Sudan to explore the prospects of narrowing the gap between the two parties in the hope to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and cessation of hostilities that can pave the way for an amicable political settlement.