ADDIS ABABA
Leaders of the Inter-governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) met Friday on the sidelines of the African Union summit to discuss efforts aimed at solving the political crisis in South Sudan.
The meeting discussed a report by IGAD chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin on mediation efforts to resolve the crisis in the nascent country, a diplomatic source told Anadolu Agency.
They IGAD leaders called on South Sudanese rivals to implement a recently-signed agreement on the cessation of hostilities.
South Sudan has been shaken by violence since mid-December, when President Salva Kiir accused sacked vice president Riek Machar of standing behind a failed coup attempt against his regime.
Following weeks of IGAD-mediated talks, the warring rivals signed an agreement last week calling for a cessation of hostilities.
The two sides are scheduled to resume talks on February 7 to resolve the conflict, which has already claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people.
The IGAD leaders hailed a move by the South Sudanese government to release a number of political detainees and called for releasing all political prisoners in its custody.
On Wednesday, Juba released seven detainees, but pressed treason charges against Machar and six other senior politicians over the failed coup.
By Mohamed Taha Tawakel
englishnews@aa.com.tr
