The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday said the stop-start negotiations between the South Sudan government and rebels had resumed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
There is a fresh wave of optimism at the resumption of the talks, after South Sudanese officials released four alleged rebels, who had been in custody since last December.
The four officials include former Security minister, Oyay Deng Ajak, former secretary-general of South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM), Pagan Amum Okiech, former Defence minister, Majak D’Agoot and its former US envoy, Ezekiel Lol Gatkouth.
IGAD’s mediators said the peace talks will focus on a political dialogue that would lead to national reconciliation and healing following the arrival of all parties in Addis Ababa.
The talks were adjourned on 7 April to allow for consultations, with the feuding parties taking advantage of the adjournment to, separately, agree on fast tracking the negotiation process to avert further escalation of the conflict.
“During the consultations, the principals shared concern over the recent escalation of the conflict and expressed their renewed commitment to the mediation process,” the mediators said in a statement on Monday.
The special envoys also conducted a series of shuttle missions to regional capitals and held consultations with leaders of IGAD countries as well as the African Union, the United Nations.
This mission, according to IGAD envoys, was aimed at mobilising support for the mediation process and the unhindered operations of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, as well as to expedite the deployment of a regional force.
Military offensives
Meanwhile, fighting between South Sudan government troops and rebels led by former vice president, Riek Machar intensified in the past week, with rebels capturing more ground.
The United States has expressed concern at the violence and urged the parties to respect a ceasefire agreement.
US Secretary of State, John Kerry reportedly called South Sudan President Salva Kiir, welcoming the decision to release the four detainees ahead of the talks.
US Department spokesperson, Jen Psaki said Kerry expressed concern at the ongoing conflict, particularly the recent violence in Bentiu and Bor and the deliberate targeting of civilians by armed groups on both sides of the conflict.
“He urged President Kiir to stop military offensives and to adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement agreement, and noted US demands that anti-government forces do the same,” Psaki said in a statement.
Fighting between government troops and rebels loyal to Machar broke out on 15 December, with reports indicating that more than 78,000 civilians are currently crowded into eight UN bases in the country, while more than a million people have been displaced within the country or have fled to neighbouring countries, mainly Uganda and Ethiopia.
Last week, the UN Security Council brandished the threat of sanctions against the feuding armies.
Both sides have been implicated in atrocities and war crimes including massacres, rape, attacks on UN bases sheltering civilians from ethnic violence and the recruitment of child soldiers.
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