Angelo Beda [center] stressing a point at a press briefing by the ND Steering Committee in June 2017/PHOTO//Eye Radio

The Co-Chair of the National Dialogue Steering Committee, Angelo Beda, has urged the Inter-Governmental Authority

on Development to help convince Dr. Riek Machar and Dr. Lam Akol to join the presidential initiative.

Mr. Beda made the call after Dr. Machar reportedly refused to meet his delegation in South Africa weeks ago.

He was leading the team to consult Dr. Machar on the national dialogue process.

At the meeting of the committee members in Juba Thursday, Mr. Angelo said IGAD should now intervene.

Mr. Beda also urged the regional body to help erase “the sense of doubts” about the dialogue among the international community, saying it is a “complimentary process” that needs support.

President Salva Kiir initiated the National Dialogue in December 2016, saying it would help in uniting and reconciling people across the country.

But some opposition leaders and members of the international community have expressed concerns about the inclusivity of the process.

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