The Mediation Support Unit under the Peace and Security division of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has named President Salva Kiir of South Sudan as the mediation team leader in the ongoing conflict in the Republic of Sudan.
According to an official communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, mediation support unit and team leader H.E. Salva Kiir has already obtained consent of the leadership of both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Force (RSF) to name their representatives in preparation for peace talks.
“In a telephone conversation with the Sudanese leaders today, May 2nd 2023, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit stressed the importance of a longer ceasefire and naming of representatives to peace talks to be held at an agreed venue of their choice,” the statement reads.
The statement also revealed that the leaders of the two sides in the Sudan conflict have agreed in principle to a 7-day ceasefire from May 4th to May 11th in order to allow peace negotiations to take their course.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is an eight-country trade bloc on the African continent with its headquarters in Djibouti. These include Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and South Sudan.