President Salva Kiir has arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for face-to-face talks with the leader of the SPLM in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar.
Kiir’s plane touched down at around 4:00 PM Ethiopia local time, according to our reporter Nichola Mandil.
“President Kiir was received at Bole International Airport by government’s delegation to the peace talks. He will be briefed by the Chief Negotiator, Nhial Deng Nhial on the contentious issues,” Mandil said.
“He will later engage in a close-door meeting with the IGAD-PLUS Chief Mediator, Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin.”
President Kiir is expected also to meet face-to-face with the leader of the SPLM-SPLA In Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar tonight or tomorrow morning before the 17th August deadline elapses.
He will also attend the 17th summit of the IGAD heads of state, tomorrow, whereby the peace agreement to end the 20-month conflict in South Sudan is expected to be signed in presence of the regional leaders and representatives of the international community.