IGAD appointment of Kenyan leader slowing down Sudan mediation: spokesman
South Sudan’s government spokesperson said on Tuesday the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) heads of state peace delegation is not making progress on mediation in war-torn Sudan.
Michael Makuei Lueth, the minister of information, communication, technology and postal services blamed the lack of progress by the regional heads of states peace delegation due to the replacement of President Salva Kiir as it’s head.
“President Salva Kiir is not moving because he is no longer the chairperson; the government of Sudan has three initiatives; Jeddah, IGAD and the neighboring countries. The government of Sudan led by Burhan wants President Salva to take over (mediation),” Makuei told journalists in Juba.
“Nevertheless, it is not President Salva who should call parties to come to him, if anybody wants President Salva Kiir to intervene then it should be the parties to the conflict. President Kiir is abiding by the two initiatives and we will follow that,” he disclosed.
The regional bloc IGAD in June appointed Kenyan President William Ruto replacing Kiir as the chairperson of the Sudan mediation team.
South Sudan now hosts more than 190,000 returnees, including refugees who fled fighting in Sudan across the 12 border crossing points, according to the United Nations.
The fighting, which erupted in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on April 15 and soon spread to different parts of the country, is being fought between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating the conflict.
