South Sudan urges Sudan gov't, opposition to show flexibility as talks commence

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (1st R) meets with leaders of opposition groups in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Sept. 4, 2019. Salva Kiir on Wednesday called on Sudan's opposition groups to form a unified front to engage in peace talks with the newly formed transitional government in Khartoum. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)

South Sudan, which is mediating its northern neighbor Sudan's peace talks, has called on both the Sudanese government and various opposition groups to show flexibility during the ongoing peace talks in Juba.

JUBA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Monday urged both the Sudanese government and various opposition groups to show flexibility during ongoing peace talks in Juba.

A high-level delegation led by Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu, deputy head of the newly formed Sudan Sovereign Council, arrived in Juba to start negotiation with opposition groups under the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) grouping led by El Hadi Idris, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLM-TC).

"I would like to thank all of you the leaders of different groups in the opposition of Sudan for accepting my call to come to Juba. This shows that you are interested in peace in your country," said Kiir in Juba as he addressed both sides before start of official talks.

Kiir encouraged both sides to seriously pursue peace as thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees are banking their hopes on the ongoing peace talks in order to return to their homes.

The opposition groups also include the Sudan People's Liberation Movement /Army-Northern sector led by Malik Agar, Justice Equality Movement under Jibril Ibrahim, Democratic Union party led by Eltom Hajou and the Sudan Liberation Movement under Minni Minnawi and others.

These groups had fought against former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and are now seeking to be included in the transitional government in Khartoum formed by the Transitional Military Council and the opposition Forces of Freedom and Change.

Daqlu welcomed Kiir's peace initiative and expressed his government's readiness to negotiate with the opposition groups which have been in Juba since last week.

Meanwhile, Idris revealed that Sudan needs a comprehensive security arrangement and rebuilding of the national army with national character.

"We are more than ready to engage in this peace process and this is the message to Hamdan (Daqlu) that we are extending our hand for peace," said Idris.

He added that the talks are critical in Sudan's current political transition as they will aim to transit the country from conflict to just and comprehensive peace.