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South Sudan's president and his ousted former vice president are expected to meet today for peace talks that could end two weeks of deadly conflict between their respective political parties. The violence began in mid-December when President Salva Kiir accused his fired deputy, Riek Machar, of attempting a coup. Forces loyal to the two men engaged in violent conflict over the past two weeks, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of 180,000.
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Tuesday's peace talks will take place in Ethiopia following mediation efforts by African leaders from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which had imposed the December 31 deadline for Kiir and Machar's face-to-face meeting.
In a Twitter post, the Government of South Sudan announced its participation in Tuesday's meeting and laid out its red line concerning potential compromise with the rebels.
We are going to Addis Ababa for talks, but sharing power is not an option. If you want power, you don't rebel. You go through the process.
— Gov of South Sudan (@RepSouthSudan) December 31, 2013The Ethiopian government announced in a statement that "The two sides are expected to reach an agreement on the cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution of the current political crisis."
[UPI] [BBC]
