Obama lauds IGAD, AU for South Sudan peace efforts

Obama lauds IGAD, AU for South Sudan peace efforts

US President Barack Obama has commended the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union for their efforts to restore peace in South Sudan.

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday during a multilateral meeting on South Sudan and counterterrorism issues, Obama said IGAD and AU have shown extraordinary leadership in trying to address the devastating situation in South Sudan.

“I want to thank IGAD for the outstanding work they’re doing, the African Union for their leadership as well.  And as a consequence of this discussion, our hope is that we can actually bring about the kind of peace that the people of South Sudan so desperately need,” he said.

On his part, President Kenyatta affirmed Kenya’s commitment to a speedy resolution of the South Sudan conflict, even as he expressed concern that it had dragged for longer than expected.

He said IGAD member states have been at the forefront in efforts to end the South Sudan conflict and have engaged the warring parties in talks both in Nairobi and Addis Ababa.

The Addis Ababa meeting exuded optimism that the South Sudan warring parties will strike a peace deal that will end the suffering of the citizens of Africa’s youngest nation by August 17.

The meeting, which was convened by the US President, was attended by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, President Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and AU Commission Chairperson Dlamini Zuma.

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