Uganda President Yoweri Museveni met yesterday in Entebbe with President Salva Kiir, the head of the SPLM-Juba faction, as well as the former political detainees known as SPLM-G10.

Museveni called the meeting to urge both parties to commit to an immediate end to the nearly year-long conflict, according to an official statement from the Ugandan government. Members of the SPLA-IO were not present at the meetings.

“If you continue, you will be called mistake makers and these mistakes are costing your people and the neighboring countries,” Museveni told the groups present.

The Ugandan president said he was compelled to call the meeting as a deadline from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development for the two sides to reach a peace deal is set to expire later this week. The government and opposition forces have repeatedly violated cessation of hostilities agreements.

President Kiir praised the initiative, saying his government is committed to the peace process. “We believe this meeting will solve some, if not all our problems,” he said.

Rebecca Nyandeng Garang led the team of former detainees, which also included Pagan Amum and Majok D’Agoot.