Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on Monday met with South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President where the trio discussed implementation of the outstanding issues within the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
Ahmed’s visit came at a time when the main two principals to the revitalized peace deal are in disagreement over the recent sacking of Angelina Teny, the minister of defense and veterans affairs who also is Machar’s wife.
Deng Dau Deng, the Acting minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation said President Salva Kiir and Ahmed discussed bilateral matters with regional dimension, including the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
“South Sudan values it’s historical ties with Ethiopia and appreciates Ethiopia’s keen interest in it’s peace and stability,” Deng told journalists in the South Sudan capital Juba.
Deng also disclosed that Ahmed held discussion First Vice President Riek Machar, but he did not divulge details of the meeting between the two leaders.
Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, the Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs said they attach great importance to peace and stability in South Sudan.
“Ethiopia plays particular importance to peace and stability of South Sudan and stands committed to peaceful resolution of (political) issues,” Mekonnen said.
The parties to the 2018 revitalized peace deal disagreed over the presidential decree issued on March 3rd, relieving the minister of defense Angelina Teny who subscribes to the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in opposition (SPLM-IO) under Machar.
Under the 2018 revitalized peace deal, the SPLM-IO is handed control of the ministry of defense while Kiir’s SPLM-In Government is in charge of the ministry of interior.
Kiir’s decree swapped the two ministries prompting SPLM-IO to protest the decision which it said lacked consensus from the parties to the peace deal.
