IGAD has called on the government to allow representatives of political parties to take part in the ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa.

The third round of the dialogue has started in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa yesterday.

In September this year, political parties’ leaders including SPLM-DC leader Dr Lam Akol were barred from travelling to Ethiopia to participate in the peace talks.

The government claimed that there was ‘no harmony’ between Dr Lam and the government’s delegation.

IGAD Special Envoy, General Lazarus Sumbeiywo says presence of the political parties is very vital for lasting peace in the country.

“General Sumbeiywo said the empty sits – we saw those sits there with the labels of the political parties written there were empty – still hold up,” reported Michael Minassie, Eye Radio’s Correspondent in Addis Ababa.

“IGAD has already asked the political parties representatives to take part in the all-inclusive stake holders’ talks. And he urged the government to permit them to travel to Addis so that they participate but the government did not respond to this.”

Mediators said a mini summit between President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar will be convened soon to discuss the most contentious issues.