South Sudan hails Ethiopian peace efforts

JUBA — A senior South Sudan government official on Thursday hailed Ethiopian efforts to achieve peace as it reportedly prepares to kick off peace talks with the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

In a statement, Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs said the country’s envoy in Juba met with South Sudan president advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manimeh, and discussed issues of coming interests.

“Ethiopian Ambassador in South Sudan, H.E. Ambassador Nebil Mahdi, met with Honorable Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisor for Security Affairs, and exchanged views of common interest,” the foreign ministry statement reads in part.

According to the statement, the top Ethiopian envoy in South Sudan “briefed the advisor about recent developments in Ethiopia” and said his government “took initiatives to conduct an all-inclusive National Dialogue to create a national consensus.”

Amb. Mehdi further said “the proposed national dialogue would foster the trust and confidence of different stakeholders in Ethiopia” and lamented continued TPLF “wreaking havoc” despite government efforts to bring peace to the Horn of African nation.

“Recalling the recent visit of Ethiopian House Speaker Honorable Tagesse Chafo, the Ambassador requested Honorable Tut to work on the already existing joint border security mechanism,” the statement added.

For his part, Tut “highlighted South Sudan’s commitment to the historical relations between the two sisterly countries,” and “also praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s wise leadership in bringing tranquility back to Ethiopia.”