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South Sudan and Rebels Open Peace Talks South Sudan and Rebels Open Peace Talks
(about 13 hours later)
NAIROBI, Kenya — The South Sudanese government and representatives of rebel forces met for the formal opening of peace talks Saturday evening in Ethiopia, part of the diplomatic effort to halt weeks of fighting in the young nation.NAIROBI, Kenya — The South Sudanese government and representatives of rebel forces met for the formal opening of peace talks Saturday evening in Ethiopia, part of the diplomatic effort to halt weeks of fighting in the young nation.
The two delegations met separately with mediators at a hotel in Addis Ababa to pin down the points they would negotiate. Both sides then gathered with Ethiopia’s foreign minister for a ceremony to mark the official start of the talks, with more substantive bargaining expected Sunday.The two delegations met separately with mediators at a hotel in Addis Ababa to pin down the points they would negotiate. Both sides then gathered with Ethiopia’s foreign minister for a ceremony to mark the official start of the talks, with more substantive bargaining expected Sunday.
“The inaugural ceremony was conducted today, and we will continue with the talks themselves on Sunday,” said Dina Mufti, spokesman for Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry. He said that the preliminary negotiations had been “productive.”“The inaugural ceremony was conducted today, and we will continue with the talks themselves on Sunday,” said Dina Mufti, spokesman for Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry. He said that the preliminary negotiations had been “productive.”
The urgency of the talks was evident as gunfire rattled the nerves of residents in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, on Saturday evening after weeks of relative calm there. A senior Western diplomat described sustained fighting around the Juba military hospital and the national security staff compound. The shooting ended after about 20 minutes and did not appear to signal that rebel forces had reached the city.The urgency of the talks was evident as gunfire rattled the nerves of residents in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, on Saturday evening after weeks of relative calm there. A senior Western diplomat described sustained fighting around the Juba military hospital and the national security staff compound. The shooting ended after about 20 minutes and did not appear to signal that rebel forces had reached the city.
It was unclear whether some members of the armed opposition might have been involved in the shooting, which occurred after curfew. In any case, the shooting was likely to fuel the growing unease and uncertainty in the capital since rebels recaptured the strategic town of Bor last week.It was unclear whether some members of the armed opposition might have been involved in the shooting, which occurred after curfew. In any case, the shooting was likely to fuel the growing unease and uncertainty in the capital since rebels recaptured the strategic town of Bor last week.
The news that the United States Embassy would be evacuating much of its staff added to the anxiety among residents in Juba, who feared that an assault might be coming. The United States on Friday flew more of its staff members out of the country, announcing that it would no longer offer consular services to citizens, but that top diplomats would remain.The news that the United States Embassy would be evacuating much of its staff added to the anxiety among residents in Juba, who feared that an assault might be coming. The United States on Friday flew more of its staff members out of the country, announcing that it would no longer offer consular services to citizens, but that top diplomats would remain.
Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that the beginning of direct talks to try to end bitter fighting in South Sudan was an important first step, but he cautioned that the United States would mobilize international pressure against factions that do not negotiate in good faith.
Speaking during a visit to Jerusalem, Mr. Kerry said: “The negotiations have to be serious. They cannot be a delay gimmick in order to continue the fighting and try to find advantage on the ground at the expense of the people of South Sudan. They have to be credible talks.”
“The United States will support those who seek peace,” he added. “But we will deny support and we will work to apply international pressure to any elements that attempt to use force to seize power. That is not acceptable.”
Mr. Kerry added that the two sides “need to push their people to come to the table here. The fighting must end.”
The fighting began Dec. 15 between soldiers in a barracks in Juba. President Salva Kiir accused his former vice president, Riek Machar, of leading an attempted coup. Mr. Machar denied the charge, but his followers took up arms after the government detained a group of allied politicians.The fighting began Dec. 15 between soldiers in a barracks in Juba. President Salva Kiir accused his former vice president, Riek Machar, of leading an attempted coup. Mr. Machar denied the charge, but his followers took up arms after the government detained a group of allied politicians.
The power struggle quickly descended into ethnic clashes in which hundreds of civilians, possibly more, were killed. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka — the Dinka are the country’s largest ethnic group — while Mr. Machar is a Nuer.The power struggle quickly descended into ethnic clashes in which hundreds of civilians, possibly more, were killed. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka — the Dinka are the country’s largest ethnic group — while Mr. Machar is a Nuer.
According to a statement Saturday by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African regional bloc that is mediating the talks, the negotiations will focus on the cessation of hostilities and the release of the prisoners arrested in the wake of the alleged coup. According to a statement Saturday by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African regional bloc that is mediating the talks, the negotiations will focus on the cessation of hostilities and the release of the prisoners arrested in the wake of the alleged coup. 
Humanitarian aid workers warned that the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the violence could not wait for a cease-fire for help. They said that aid was needed immediately for civilians at United Nations bases in Juba, Malakal and Bor, the scene of fierce fighting in recent days, as well as many hiding in the bush or camped out across the White Nile from Bor.Humanitarian aid workers warned that the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the violence could not wait for a cease-fire for help. They said that aid was needed immediately for civilians at United Nations bases in Juba, Malakal and Bor, the scene of fierce fighting in recent days, as well as many hiding in the bush or camped out across the White Nile from Bor.
According to Toby Lanzer, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, 30,000 people are now at the group’s bases in Juba alone.According to Toby Lanzer, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, 30,000 people are now at the group’s bases in Juba alone.
The United Nations also said in a statement that it was reinforcing its positions in South Sudan. “This includes police, military, logistics support and selected numbers of civilian staff who are needed at this time,” the statement said.The United Nations also said in a statement that it was reinforcing its positions in South Sudan. “This includes police, military, logistics support and selected numbers of civilian staff who are needed at this time,” the statement said.
The United Nations mission in South Sudan denied news media reports claiming that it had said rebels were advancing on Juba. “No U.N. official has made such a statement to the press,” the group said.The United Nations mission in South Sudan denied news media reports claiming that it had said rebels were advancing on Juba. “No U.N. official has made such a statement to the press,” the group said.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of about two million people. More than a thousand have been killed in this conflict already, according to the United Nations, but analysts say that number is likely much higher.South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of about two million people. More than a thousand have been killed in this conflict already, according to the United Nations, but analysts say that number is likely much higher.

Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting from Jerusalem.