President Kiir says the government delegation has suspended its participation in the IGAD-led peace talks until the mediators explain the content of the press statement in which he was insulted.

President Salva Kiir objected to reports that the IGAD Executive Secretary, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, had described the president and former vice president as stupid in a report published in the Ethiopian press.

During his visit to Juba on Tuesday to clear the issue, Secretary Maalim denied making the statement to the Ethiopian media.

President Kiir who had read the report said the government of South Sudan is demanding an explanation of the content of article before the talks can resume.

“The government negotiation team has been forced to suspend the peace talks in demand for an explanation from IGAD of a press statement issued by one of its executive secretary, in which I, President of IGAD member state was described as stupid,” said President Kiir.

“What happened is that the man made his comments in the newspaper called, “Daily Monitor” of Ethiopia. And he said that, “President Salva Kiir and Riek machar are both stupid, and they think that they will bring peace through military victory on the ground”.

“That was the time when I was leaving, coming back to Juba. I gave the paper to our team at the airport, and they went and launched the complaint.

“I have also written such a complaint to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.”

President Kiir said he has given the Minister of Foreign Affairs the authority to handle the matter.