By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – Panel of the Wise on Thursday announced that high-level talks are underway in South Sudan to try and prevent further escalation between forces aligned with the two main parties to the 2018 peace deal.
According to the UN, the meetings are being held in Juba, between South Sudan’s political leaders and regional Heads of States as well as the African Union Panel of the Wise, comprised highly respected personalities who have contributed to peace, security and development on the continent.
Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan Nicholas Haysom, during the discussion with the panel stressed the importance of urgent collective engagement by regional and international partners to help end the hostilities, prevent a relapse into widespread violence and secure a return to the peace agreement.
He highlighted the need for political detainees to be released and for new measures to build trust and confidence between the parties.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, have gained independence from Sudan in July 2011.
The conflict broke out in December 2013 between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces led by his rival Riek Machar, left thousands dead.
The 2018 peace agreement ended the fighting, but the current crisis engulfed the country back into civil war.
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