Two warring factions from South Sudan held direct
peace talks on Sunday for the first time since conflict began roiling the
country last month, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing for safety.
peace talks on Sunday for the first time since conflict began roiling the
country last month, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing for safety.
The direct talks, focused on a cease-fire and the
release of political prisoners, put representatives of President Salva Kiir and
former Vice President Riek Machar together in Ethiopia.
release of political prisoners, put representatives of President Salva Kiir and
former Vice President Riek Machar together in Ethiopia.
South Sudan has experienced three weeks of
violence. Kiir says the violence began as a coup attempt Dec. 15, though
Machar’s side denies the allegation. Violence began as a political dispute but
has since taken on ethnic dimensions, with tribes attacking each other.
violence. Kiir says the violence began as a coup attempt Dec. 15, though
Machar’s side denies the allegation. Violence began as a political dispute but
has since taken on ethnic dimensions, with tribes attacking each other.
The U.N. has said at least 1,000 people have died.
Some 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Rebel forces loyal to
Machar now control two state capitals, including the town of Bor, about 120
kilometers (70 miles) north of the capital, Juba.
Some 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Rebel forces loyal to
Machar now control two state capitals, including the town of Bor, about 120
kilometers (70 miles) north of the capital, Juba.
Gunfire was heard in Juba Saturday night. South
Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said Sunday that forces loyal
to Machar instigated the violence but that it was soon brought under control.
Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said Sunday that forces loyal
to Machar instigated the violence but that it was soon brought under control.
Embassies, aid groups and the U.N. have sent
personnel out of the country out of fear the fighting could engulf the capital
as it did in the first couple days of violence. The U.S. Embassy on Friday sent
more personnel out of the country.
personnel out of the country out of fear the fighting could engulf the capital
as it did in the first couple days of violence. The U.S. Embassy on Friday sent
more personnel out of the country.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday the
beginning of direct talks was an important step but that both sides need to put
the interests of South Sudan above their own. The U.S. played a big role in
bringing decades of war in the region to an end. South Sudan peacefully broke
away from Sudan in 2011.
beginning of direct talks was an important step but that both sides need to put
the interests of South Sudan above their own. The U.S. played a big role in
bringing decades of war in the region to an end. South Sudan peacefully broke
away from Sudan in 2011.
“I think all of us feel a very personal stake
in trying to avert tribal warfare and ethnic confrontation on the ground as
well as any kind of resolution of political differences by force,” Kerry
said in Jerusalem.
in trying to avert tribal warfare and ethnic confrontation on the ground as
well as any kind of resolution of political differences by force,” Kerry
said in Jerusalem.
Kerry said the U.S. will not support anyone who
uses force to seize power, in an apparent message for Machar. The U.S. has also
called on the Kiir government to release political prisoners aligned with
Machar so they can take part in talks.
uses force to seize power, in an apparent message for Machar. The U.S. has also
called on the Kiir government to release political prisoners aligned with
Machar so they can take part in talks.
South Sudan Information Minister Lueth on Sunday
chafed at that suggestion, saying to release the political prisoners sets a bad
precedent.
chafed at that suggestion, saying to release the political prisoners sets a bad
precedent.
“We are not saying we won’t release them, but
it will be done according to our laws,” he said.
it will be done according to our laws,” he said.
Lueth also threatened to detain the widow of the
man regarded as the father of the country, the late John Garang. Lueth said
that the widow, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, is spreading “negative propaganda.”
man regarded as the father of the country, the late John Garang. Lueth said
that the widow, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, is spreading “negative propaganda.”
