President Salva Kiir of South Sudan is to skip the June 12 Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Addis Ababa to discuss the unfolding humanitarian situation in the war-torn country,.
Presidential Spokesman, Ateny Wek-Ateny said this on Thursday in Juba that president Kiir will not attend the event due to “domestic issues” but will be represented by a minister, Mayiik Ayii-Deng at the 31st IGAD summit.
He added that South Sudan would be expected to brief the IGAD Heads of States on the progress of implementing the Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan signed in August 2015 to end three years crisis.
According to the IGAD, the summit is expected to deliberate on the dire security and humanitarian situation facing South Sudan.
The deteriorating security situation that has resulted in sharp increase of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, requiring IGAD leaders to speak with one voice to abate the crisis.
“IGAD’s consultations with the AU and the UN also highlight that the region has to lead the way for a concerted effort to bring forward the dialogue to solve the problem in South Sudan,” the bloc said.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced over two million from their homes, and forced more than 1.5 million to flee into neighbouring countries. (Xinhua/NAN)