Differences between foes in S. Sudan over foreign troops and African peacekeepers

Khartoum-The mediators of the IGAD started, on Tuesday, unilateral and separate meeting with the delegations of South Sudan Government and the group of Reik Machar in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa that hosts a new round of peace talks between the two sides.
Sources told the Citizen that the differences between the two sides on the opposition demand on withdrawal of the foreign troops, deployment of African peacekeeping forces and the release of the rest political detainees.
The round of peace talks comes within the endeavors of the IGAD mediators, under the chairmanship of former foreign minister of Ethiopia Seyoum Mesfin and membership of Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al-Dabi and General Lazarus Sumbeiywo to pave the way for kickoff of the direct talks after its suspension by the IGAD.
Member of the mediation team Gen. Al-Dabi has said, by phone, that he is optimistic that a progress can be made in the current round of talks, saying that the IGAD is enjoying regional and international support to defuse the war in South Sudan.
A statement issued by the IGAD said that "The mediation will hold bilateral talks with the negotiations delegations separately prior to start the direct talks between the two delegations that will discuss political dialogue and national reconciliations in South Sudan."
The IGAD expressed grave concern over the continuity of fighting in South Sudan, and pointed out that it has sent strong message to the parties to the conflict in South Sudan.

Arabic Forum