Peace talks in South Sudan to begin

JUBA , South Sudan, May 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced Friday South Sudan President Salva Kiir has agreed to meet with rebel leader Riek Machar to end the violence in the country.

Kerry’s statement, after an unannounced meeting in the capitol of Juba with Kiir, comes after international outrage over war crimes in the rebellion, and warnings by the United Nations and other agencies of a looming famine in South Sudan.

At a press briefing, Kerry said Kiir was open to taking steps to “end the violence and implement the cessation of hostilities agreement, and to begin to engage with respect to a transitional government.”

The talks between Kiir and Machar will be mediated by Ethiopian authorities. Kerry added Machar had previously said he would engage in the talks.

Nearly one million people have been displaced and thousands have been killed since fighting broke out in December between South Sudan army troops and Kiir’s Dinka tribe and Nuer soldiers loyal to Machar, Kiir’s former deputy.