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South Sudan mediation begins

December 26, 2013

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has begun crisis talks with fellow African leaders aimed at averting a possible civil war. China, which has significant oil interests in the country, has said it will send an envoy.

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Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta meet in the capital Juba December 26, 2013. Kiir called for an end to wanton killings and tribal-based atrocities on Wednesday, as government troops clashed with rebels loyal to his former deputy in an oil-producing region of the country. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is sending an envoy to the country, the European Commission said on Wednesday. A South Sudan government official said Desalegn and Kenyatta would arrive in Juba on Thursday morning to help mediate as well. REUTERS/Hakim George
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Christmas respite in South Sudan

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn were in the South Sudanese capital Juba on Thursday to attempt to mediate in the conflict.

Hundreds of people have been killed since last week, when a growing power struggle between President Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, turned violent.

Fighting between troops loyal to either side became particularly intense in the Central Equatoria, Unity and Jonglei states, with hundreds of people killed and tens of thousands displaced.

"There are now people who are targeting others because of their tribal affiliation," Kiir said in a Christmas message. Kiir and Machar men are from different ethnic groups, which has exacerbated tensions.

Mass graves in capital

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said a mass grave had been found in rebel-held Bentiu. She also cited reports of at least two more such graves in Juba.

Kiir, an ethnic Dinka - the largest group in South Sudan - has said he is willing to negotiate and enter talks unconditionally.

Machar - ethnically Nuer - who is in hiding, is demanding that Kiir step down, accusing him of being dictatorial. But he has also expressed an interest in talks, calling for any negotiations to be held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei Leuth said the government has not yet established formal contact with Machar. "For us, we are not talking with him," Leuth said.

Machar has submitted a list of potential delegates, including the former Sudan People's Liberation Movement secretary general Pagan Amum Okiech. Other senior party leaders from the movement, currently imprisoned in Juba, are also on the list.

rc / bk (AP, dpa)