UN mission calls for political dialogue in South Sudan

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday called forpolitical dialogue in the African country to reach a comprehensive peace agreement, with the participation of all political and civil society representatives, including Sudan People’s Liberation Movement ( SPLM) detainees.

Over the weekend, the Mission facilitated the travel of an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) needs assessment team to Malakal, some 600 kilometers north of the South Sudanese capital of Juba in the oil-bearing state of Upper Nile in order to activate the cessation of hostilities agreement, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said at a daily news briefing here.

Earlier on Monday, IGAD officials visited Bor in Jonglei State. “The Mission says it held discussion with IGAD in both locations,” Nesirky said.

Anti- and pro-government representatives are expected to meet on Monday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The two sides signed a ceasefire last month following peace talks mediated by IGAD, leading to a relative lull.

Meanwhile, the UNMISS continues its military and police patrols in locations around the country. In Nassir in Upper Nile state, the Mission reported the situation to be volatile. It also received reports of fighting between the SPLM and anti-government forces in Thorgwang in Manyo County.

In Bor, Jonglei State, the Mission noted that some government officials have begun returning to the town, as have civilians, but in limited numbers.

Thousands of people are believed to have been killed and more than 870,000 others have fled their homes since fighting broke out on Dec. 15 between the forces of President Salva Kiir and deputy president Riek Machar, 75,000 of them seeking refuge on 10 UN bases throughout the country.