Kiir-Machar’s meetings concluded, talks are expected to resume on Wednesday

January 14, 2020 News

President Salva Kiir meets main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar before a close-door meeting held at the State House on January 14, 2020 (Photo: Supplied)

January 14th, 2020 (SSNN)—The closed-door meeting between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Chairman of the SPLM-IO Dr. Riek Machar have been concluded, however, the outcome of the talks between the two principals remains unclear.

The today’s closed-door meeting held at the State House – was attended by South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza and the Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti.

“H.E, President Salva Kiir Mayardit received the Deputy President of South Africa, David Mabuza at the State House on Tuesday and held a consultative meeting as the signatories to the peace deal are to resume the talks on the number of states and other critical issues before the looming formation of the transitional government,” the Presidency said on Tuesday.

“The expected talks on the number of states are to resume under the mediation of South African Deputy President David Mabuza to ensure that the political parties come into an agreement in determining the number of the states as required by the peace agreement,” the statment added.

According to state-run media, South African Vice President David Mabuza underlined that since he had never had an opportunity to explore public opinions on the number of states and their boundaries, it would be a good idea to meet citizens and listen to their views.

“South African Deputy President David Mabuza Said, he did not have an opportunity to discuss with the people of South Sudan regarding their position on the number of states, which he said, he would really appreciate if he had the opportunity.”