A member of the South Sudanese religious leaders’ delegation at peace talks in Bahir Dar says he is ‘satisfied’ with recent developments in South Sudan’s peace process, pointing to signs of limited progress.

Bishop Enock Tombe, a leader of the Episcopal Church in South Sudan, says the warring parties are currently engaged in serious discussions. This marks a change from the previous round of talks in August when the two sides reportedly did not engage positively with each other.

The churchman told Radio Miraya, “I can assure you, they are really beginning to talk to each other, and there was a situation yesterday when somebody said, ‘Let us make bold decisions.’”

He added that he was “satisfied with the process,” adding that the two sides are “talking real issues.”

Meanwhile, a source within the government delegation who preferred to withhold his name likewise confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the talks have been continuing but without any breakthrough, as each party holds to its positions.

He affirmed, however, that the talks will continue.

In related news, it was reported yesterday that the US Special Envoy Donald Booth said that the United States is frustrated with the slow pace of the peace talks and warned that the US could expand sanctions against more South Sudanese political and military figures whom they accuse of obstructing peace.

Booth threatened “more serious sanctions” than the ones already imposed, which targeted only a few military figures on each side of the conflict, SPLA-Juba led by Salva Kiir and SPLA-IO led by Riek Machar.

Photo: Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rejaf Enock Tombe, 8 July 2014 (Radio Tamazuj)

Related:

South Sudan peace talks continue in Ethiopia (25 Sept.)

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