Kiir-Gatwech talk ‘about to start’ as Sudan prepares to form unity government – spokesman

JUBA – Peace talks between South Sudan government and holdout South Sudan main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by former SPLA-IO chief of staff General Simon Gatwech is set to begin soon in the Sudanese capital Khartoum as Sudanese government is set to be formed.

The talks was halted in October when Sudanese army commander in chief General Abdelfattah al Burhan decided to dissolve the government and declare a state of emergency following internal disagreements within the ruling Sudanese coalition led by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, the press secretary in the office of SPLM-IO Kitgwang chairman James Kalany Mamuon said the talks with President Kiir was about to start as he sees formation of the Sudanese transitional government of technocrats.

“The talks is about to start between us and the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba and this is because the government in Sudan is going to be formed very soon and this will definitely be the beginning of the talks because all the parties are ready for the talks,” he said.

The senior opposition official further reiterated the group’s commitment to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and said they don’t see it important for the return of the country to the deadly civil which has killed thousands and displaced millions.

“For us, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) is for peace and that’s why we accept to negotiate with the agreement to talk out any problem that has been left behind by the former SPLM-IO leadership under Dr. Riek Machar Teny who is now in Juba as a member of the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he added.