The Ethiopian government which is hosting the South Sudan peace talks has reiterated its neutrality in the conflict.

The South Sudan government delegation last week accused IGAD chief mediator and former Ethiopian foreign minister, Seyoum Mesfin, of being influenced by others.

They requested transfer of the peace talks venue to Kenya.

The spokesperson of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti, told Eye Radio that his country is neutral in its approach to peace in South Sudan.

“Ethiopia as a neighbor and the close friend for the people of South Sudan is playing its role and strictly neutral stance,” Amb Mufti said.

He believed that South Sudan has been in war for many years and now needs peace.

“South Sudanese deserve above all things, peace, because they have been in war for years and in fact the enemy of our region in general especially together with the enemy of South Sudanese, Ethiopia, Kenya and entirely the enemy of Africa is poverty,” he added.

The next round of the peace talks which is expected to commence the 16^th of this month in Ethiopia.