Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (L) shakes hand with South Sudan President Salva Kiir on April 10, 2019 at the Chigi Palace in Rome. (AFP)
South Sudan's warring rivals President Salva Kiir and rebel leader and former Vice President Riek Machar began a retreat at the Vatican on Wednesday aimed at finding a path to peace.
The arch-rivals met at the Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican’s walls, a residence for visitors and home to Pope Francis, who chose it over the traditional papal palace on his election in 2013.
The unimposing hotel was the scene of historic peace talks between Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2014.
President Kiir and Machar last saw each other in October 2018, shortly after the signing of a power-sharing deal, when Machar made a brief return to Juba for the first time since fleeing on foot in a hail of gunfire in July 2016.
Machar was Kiir’s Vice-President until a falling out in 2013 which kickstarted a civil war just two years after independence from Sudan.
Battles between those from Mr Machar’s Nuer community and Kiir’'s Dinka people were characterized by brutal violence, rape and UN warnings about “ethnic cleansing”.
The Vatican confirmed the arrival of Machar, who under the new deal will be reinstated as Vice-President.
The other Vice-Presidents expected at the retreat are James Wani Igga, Taban Deng Gai and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.
Ecclesiastical authorities will be represented by the eight members of the South Sudan Council of Churches.
The meeting will end on Thursday with a speech by Pope Francis at 5pm (1500 GMT), followed by a dinner.
SHOW MORE[1]Last Update: Wednesday, 10 April 2019 KSA 21:23 - GMT 18:23
Newer articles:
- Sudan's Upheaval Brings Fears for South Sudan's Peace Deal - 12/04/2019 02:31
- Pope says peace in South Sudan is possible, kisses feet of political leaders - 12/04/2019 02:26
- Sudan's military has ousted its President Omar al-Bashir. How did it come to this? And what's next? - 11/04/2019 16:39
- Sudan's long-time survivor Bashir is finally forced out - 11/04/2019 07:55
- A timeline of key events in rule of Sudan’s al-Bashir - 11/04/2019 07:38
Older news items
- S. Sudan, China pen 2 deals on infrastructure - 10/04/2019 23:44
- South Sudanese Leaders Should Use Vatican Visit to Recommit to Justice - 10/04/2019 22:43
- Mia Farrow calls for improving the global system for treating malnutrition following visit to South Sudan - 10/04/2019 13:10
- Sudan army ranks seem to be tilting towards protestors: analysts - 10/04/2019 04:26
- South Sudan President, Opposition Leader to Meet at Vatican - 10/04/2019 03:52
Latest news items (all categories):
- Boston Judge Allows Trump Administration to End South Sudan TPS Protections - 07/08/2026 22:11
- Time Running Short ahead of December Elections in South Sudan - 07/08/2026 22:07
- A Roadmap Home for South Sudan’s Displaced Families - 07/08/2026 21:58
- The World’s Aid Workers Must Be Protected - 07/08/2026 21:54
- قاضية أمريكية تسمح بإنهاء وضع الحماية من الترحيل لمواطني جنوب السودان - 07/08/2026 21:45
Random articles (all categories):
- Suspicion and secrecy surround South Africa’s dealings with South Sudan - 21/06/2019 03:54
- It is Blasphemy with Impunity as SPLM Claims to be as clean as Jesus Christ!! - 26/01/2013 15:24
- Vietnam, South Sudan establish diplomatic ties - 21/02/2019 21:30
- Sudan earns $236m from South oil fees - 25/08/2013 19:00
- WFP warns of crisis in South Sudan - 05/01/2012 17:02
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148358 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27927 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25009 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24334 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22291 times
