November 22, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir agreed with Sudan’s Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) to establish a joint committee to coordinate efforts to end the war and bring peace to Sudan.

The visiting FFC delegation to South Sudan met on Wednesday with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in the presence of Presidential Advisor for Security and Political Affairs, Tut Tut Gatluak, Ministers of Presidential Affairs, Barnabas Merial Benjamin, and the Investment Ministers, Dhieu Mathok, and the Deputy Foreign Minister, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah.

In a statement after the meeting, the FFC said that they briefed Kiir about their vision, which emphasizes the importance of stopping the war as a top priority and finding a comprehensive and just political solution that leads to a single national and professional army, democratic civilian rule, and sustainable peace.

The meeting agreed to establish a joint committee, comprising representatives from both the FFC and the South Sudan Mediation Committee for Peace in Sudan. This committee is tasked with facilitating communication, follow-up, and coordination.

President Salva Kiir has been actively involved in regional efforts to end the war in Sudan, participating in initiatives such as the IGAD Quartet. His recent agreement with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during a visit to Cairo underscores the commitment of both countries to contribute to efforts to end the conflict.

It should be noted that the FFC sent a letter to the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on November 18, requesting to meet with him as soon as possible.

They said they have a draft of a road map to end the war that they want to discuss with him and develop together to reach a Sudanese solution to end the war and establish sustainable peace and a democratic civil transition.

In a separate statement, the South Sudanese presidency revealed that during the meeting, the FFC delegation urged President Kiir to intensify his mediation efforts, citing his extensive knowledge and relationships with Sudanese leaders. FFC member Sadiq al Mahdi expressed confidence that President Kiir would play a crucial role in bringing together the warring factions.

The meeting centred on mechanisms to end the war, based on the outcomes of the Cairo Summit, and outlined steps to unify political and civil forces in Khartoum. Additionally, the meeting delved into initiatives proposed by neighbouring countries to stop the conflict in Sudan, added the South Sudanese presidency. - Sudan Tribune

(ST)