Multi-stakeholder Symposium to initiate an inclusive peace talks held Dr. Tedros Adhanom opened on Friday (June 6) a multi-stakeholder Symposium aiming to initiate an inclusive phase of IGAD-led peace talks for South Sudan in Addis Ababa. Under the theme of “Towards Sustainable Peace in South Sudan,” the Symposium brought together up to 150 representatives of the People of the Republic of South Sudan, including senior officials from the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, SPLM/A-in-Opposition, political parties, religious leaders, elders, civil society organizations and other stakeholders across the country. In his key note address, Dr. Tedros Adhanom noted that peace was a central element as well as a prelude in the pursuit of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous South Sudan, adding that peaceful settlement of the differences would push forward efforts for the restoration of stability in South Sudan and recovery of the people. He also noted that Ethiopia’s committed leadership was supportive of the people of South Sudan to prevent the pain of dying for a wrong cause and the deterioration of the country’s humanitarian situation. He welcomed the signing and a rededication to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was signed on 9 May by the leaders of the warring parties of the country in Addis Ababa, lauding that the recommitment of the principals signaled a new paradigm shift in the quest for peace in the country and laid the foundation to the enhancement of a peaceful and inclusive dialogue to stop the violence. He explained that there were signs of optimism and promising trajectories in the hemisphere of South Sudan, but, he said, the world had recently witnessed the violation of the commitment to Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the killings of civilians and the worsening of humanitarian situation throughout the country. Efforts to enforce the May 9 truce signed by President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar in Addis Ababa on May 9 should be sped up with a new vigor and enthusiasm to support IGAD-led mediation efforts in a bid to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the crisis in South Sudan. He also welcomed that the full engagement of all the constituencies of the people of South Sudan could be considered as a historic opportunity to resolutely turn the country from ongoing violence to progress in both the political and economic spheres. Both parties must place the safety and security of the people of South Sudan at the heart of their political negotiation and discussion, he suggested. He added that genuine and inclusive political discussion would only open the window of sustainable peace, stability and development across the country. In this regard, Ethiopia along with IGAD Member States and partners would only assist the people of South Sudan to move their country out of violence to a country they want, he underlined. The two-day Symposium provides opportunities to all stakeholders of South Sudan to discuss transitional government, national reconciliation and healing, institutional arrangements, and constitution.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:09:45 +0000
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