KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 25 (UPI) -- South Sudan's Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth has called on militia groups to end their fighting and join his government, officials said.
Gatkuoth, head of mission for South Sudan to the United States and the United Nations, said continued fighting could further destabilize the region as the country prepares for its July independence, the Voice of America reported.
In fighting Saturday, soldiers battled gunmen led by Gabriel Tanginya, the former head of a pro-Khartoum militia during Sudan's lengthy north-south civil war.
The U.S.-educated Gatkuoth, a former soldier and a member of the ruling council of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, said his government is ready to negotiate with the militias.
The offer came after south Sudanese officials said 55 rebel fighters were killed in a clash in the state of Jonglei. Hundreds have died in fighting between the southern army and various armed militia groups since January, when southern Sudan voted to split from the north.
"It has been our desire to have peace in Sudan and especially in southern Sudan," Gatkuoth said. "And that is what we have been telling the militias to come and join us so that we can actually build this new nation."
Gatkuoth said his government is doing its best to integrate the militias into the military.
"Their concerns are being addressed, because the concerns of a soldier are to be recognized … and that's [exactly] what we are doing," Gatkuoth said.
