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S Sudan conflict: Sudan president to meet Salva Kiir | S Sudan conflict: Sudan president to meet Salva Kiir |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has arrived in Juba for talks with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir over the conflict in South Sudan, reports say. | |
Separately, the two warring parties in South Sudan have begun direct talks in Ethiopia aiming at a ceasefire. No substantive progress has yet been made. | |
The conflict pits supporters of Mr Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy, Riek Machar. | The conflict pits supporters of Mr Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy, Riek Machar. |
At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence erupted on 15 December. | At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence erupted on 15 December. |
The unrest started after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup - which he denies. | |
Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in the conflict, which has taken on ethnic undertones. Mr Kiir is from the majority Dinka community and Mr Machar from the Nuer group. | Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in the conflict, which has taken on ethnic undertones. Mr Kiir is from the majority Dinka community and Mr Machar from the Nuer group. |
'Peaceful resolution' | 'Peaceful resolution' |
Mr Bashir says his visit to the South Sudanese capital Juba with a team of ministers is aimed at giving support for a regional initiative to solve the crisis. | |
"There should be peace and security in South Sudan," Mr Bashir said as he arrived in Juba. | |
"We come so that we can bring peace to South Sudan, to our brothers and sisters in South Sudan. Our relationship is very important," Mr Bashir said, according to AFP. | |
Sudan relies on revenue from oil transported through its southern neighbours' pipelines, which Khartoum fears will be disrupted by the fighting. | Sudan relies on revenue from oil transported through its southern neighbours' pipelines, which Khartoum fears will be disrupted by the fighting. |
Meanwhile, East Africa's regional bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) is trying to mediate between the South Sudanese government and its opponents at the talks in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. | |
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also due to hold talks with the warring parties, in an attempt to push them to agree to a cessation of hostilities. | |
China is a major investor in South Sudan's oil industry. | China is a major investor in South Sudan's oil industry. |
Rebel negotiator Mabior Garang said he was optimistic about talks with the government, the AFP news agency reports. | Rebel negotiator Mabior Garang said he was optimistic about talks with the government, the AFP news agency reports. |
However, he was "suspicious of the sincerity of the government" as it kept "shifting the goal posts", he said. | However, he was "suspicious of the sincerity of the government" as it kept "shifting the goal posts", he said. |
Up until Friday, the talks were conducted by mediators. Now, teams representing the opposing factions in South Sudan are expected to negotiate face to face. | Up until Friday, the talks were conducted by mediators. Now, teams representing the opposing factions in South Sudan are expected to negotiate face to face. |
Key issues are establishing a ceasefire, and the rebels' demand for the release of what they see as political prisoners. | |
Fresh fighting | Fresh fighting |
Heavy fighting is continuing to the south of Bor, one of two cities held by rebels, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead, who was on the road between Juba and Bor. | Heavy fighting is continuing to the south of Bor, one of two cities held by rebels, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead, who was on the road between Juba and Bor. |
The rebels include a former military division made up of thousands of men who switched sides, our correspondent says. | The rebels include a former military division made up of thousands of men who switched sides, our correspondent says. |
Until a ceasefire is agreed, fighting is expected to continue or even intensify, he adds. | Until a ceasefire is agreed, fighting is expected to continue or even intensify, he adds. |
On Sunday, a South Sudanese army general was killed when a government convoy was ambushed. | On Sunday, a South Sudanese army general was killed when a government convoy was ambushed. |
South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict. | South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict. |
The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011. | The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011. |