US team in bid to end S Sudan conflict

A DELEGATION from US President Donald Trump’s administration will arrive in the South Sudanese capital Juba today to assess ways to help end the civil war which has crippled the world’s newest nation.

“We believe this is a positive development as far as engaging directly with South Sudan goes,” South Sudan ambassador to South Africa Philip Jada Netana said.

“Too often there is a lot of criticism directed towards our country from far away instead of people coming to see the situation first-hand.”

One of the objectives of the delegation’s visit will be to see how best the new American administration can work with Juba to implement the national dialogue initiated by President Salva Kiir last December.

Kiir called for an inclusive national dialogue process, on December 14, before the national legislative assembly, stating that the political process would be led by eminent statesmen who are “trusted, genuine and credible”.

However, on December 20 he appointed a 30-member committee allegedly known for being supportive of his government. No opposition members from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) were included.

Some opposition groups responded by calling for the peace process to be held outside the country to allow the participation of all of the armed groups.

Leader of the SPLM-IO, Dr Riek Machar, is currently based in South Africa after fleeing South Sudan claiming his life was in danger. – ANA