The Sixth Session of the Second Phase of the IGAD led multi-stakeholder peace talks on South Sudan has officially opened today in Ethiopia in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State.

According to IGAD, all stakeholders to the peace talks accepted the August 25^th draft agenda.

The agenda requires the warring parties to negotiate, among others, the interim government and security arrangements.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the IGAD Mediation Process Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin reminded the delegates that the document presented to them is theirs and contains their positions.

“Let progress not be impeded any further by rhetorical or procedural issues, If you are committed to peace, you will not find it through the barrel of the gun, but around this table”, the Envoy said.

Mesfin said that the peace will not be given as a donation from others, but can be found through collective efforts.

In their opening statements, representatives of the different stakeholders reiterated their commitment to the IGAD-led negotiation process and expressed their resolve to address the root causes of the crisis as soon as possible.