IGAD announces resumption of South Sudan peace negotiations

Mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced on Tuesday the resumption of peace negotiations between South Sudan government and rebels. The talks aim to resolve the armed conflict which broke out between the government troops of Salva Kiir Mayardit and the rebels, led by former vice-president Riek Machar, following an aborted coup attempt in last December. Three IGAD mediators are in consultation with the parties on the conduct of a political dialogue towards national reconciliation, mediators said in a statement, calling the two sides to immediately commit to the ceasefire agreement, which had been violated several times by both parties. The violence, which killed thousands and displaced nearly one million people, has continued despite a ceasefire signed by both sides last January.