S.SUDAN PRESIDENT AND OPPOSITION CHIEF DUE IN ETHIOPIA FOR PEACE TALKS

Addis Ababa, 29 Shafar 1435/31 Desember 2013 (MINA) – The Foreign Ministry said that South Sudan’s president and opposition leader Riek Machar are flying for face-to-face peace talks in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Tuesday.

This is end two weeks of fighting that is feared to have left thousands dead, Ahram Online quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Both President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar are coming to Addis Ababa for talks, they are coming now and should meet today,” Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti told.

The United Nations has warned about the growing number of displaced people in South Sudan, as the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate in the African country.

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The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Sunday that about 180,000 people had been displaced by the conflict in the world’s youngest country, Press TV reports.

The UN said up to 75,000 refugees have been sheltered in UN bases in Juba, Bor, Bentiu, Malakal and Pariang since fighting broke out in South Sudan in mid-December.

Aid agencies also warned about the separation of thousands of children from their parents as a result of the violence.

On December 28, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon once again called for all violence, attacks and human rights abuses in the country to end immediately.

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Ban reiterated that those responsible for the violence will be held accountable.

The UN chief also urged all the concerned sides to ensure that the rights and security of civilians are protected. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).