Ethiopian Premier, Ugandan President discuss South Sudan conflict

June 10th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The new Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, met in Ugandan after a two-day state visit by the Ethiopian Premier from 8-9 June 2018.

The two leaders discussed the situation in  the neighboring South Sudan among other regional issues.

In a communique issued from Kampala on Saturday, the two leaders discussed South Sudan conflict and called on the parties to renounce violence, rebellion and redouble efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the country.

“Their Excellencies discussed the situation in South Sudan. They called upon all parties to the conflict to renounce violence and armed rebellion, and redouble efforts to find a peaceful political solution through dialogue under the IGAD-led High Level Revitalization Forum. The Two leaders agreed on the need to coven an Extra-ordinary IGAD Summit to address outstanding issues,” article 7 of the communique date 9th June 2018 said.

South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013 after forces loyal to the country’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and his then Governor of Northern Bahr Al-Ghazal State Gen. Paul Malong Awan went door-to-door in the capital Juba killing civilians belonging to the Nuer ethnic group sparking a nation-wide protests from top army generals from the Nuer leading to a civil war.

A peace agreement signed in August 2015 by President Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar and negotiated under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU) in presence of Troika and other international observers collapsed in July 2016 following fighting at the presidential palace in Juba “J1” reportedly after President Kiir ordered a failed attempt to arrest the SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar.

A peace revitalization plan collapsed last month after the IGAD unveil a peace proposal that seeks to divide power between dozens of South Sudan opposition groups and Juba government with three vice-presidents.