South Sudan: Talks with Kiir productive say mediators

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Talks with President Salva Kiir have been termed “productive” by the  African intermediaries trying to turn away civil war in South Sudan.

On Friday, President Kiir met foreign ministers from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda who had travelled to capital Juba to arbitrate in the crisis.

He told them he agreed to “unconditional dialogue” to stop the violence.

“We had a very productive meeting with his Excellency President Salva Kiir and we will continue consultations,” Mr Adhanom, who led the delegation, told reporters before returning to the talks.

Clashes began a week back when President Kiir accused his former deputy, Riek Machar, of a failed coup attempt.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was sending a special representative to help advance dialogue, following a phone conversation with President Kiir on Thursday.

“Now is the time for South Sudan’s leaders to rein in armed groups under their control, immediately cease attacks on civilians, and end the chain of retributive violence between different ethnic and political groups,” Mr Kerry said.

Hundreds of people have already died in fighting between rival factions of the army troops across the country.