EU: Ongoing contacts in South Sudan are 'positive'

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - The EU on Thursday hailed ongoing contacts between South Sudan's president and opposition groups towards forming a unity government.

"The ongoing contacts by the heads of state of the region to bring together President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to enable the formation of a Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan, scheduled for 12 November, are positive," an EU spokesperson said in a statement.

It said all the South Sudanese parties must demonstrate genuine will to build peace in the country.

"The composition of the Revitalised Transitional Government must respect the provisions of the peace agreement which provides for inclusion of all signatory parties," the statement said.

The EU will be ready to provide further support to the process, it added.

South Sudan slid into crisis when Kiir sacked Machar as vice president in 2013 on suspicion of plotting a coup, followed by a protracted civil war that claimed the lives of tens of thousands and forced 4 million people to flee their homes.