A leading member of the SPLM faction based in Juba has expressed optimism about the peace process in South Sudan and predicted that peace is ‘around the corner,’ following the latest talks between the SPLM-G10 and SPLM-Juba factions in Entebbe, Uganda.

Akol Paul Kordit was speaking on behalf of SPLM-Juba on Monday at Juba Airport, upon the return of a party delegation from the talks in Entebbe, which were hosted by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and attended also by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir.

Kiir and his delegation met with SPLM-G10 (‘Former Detainees’) members including Pagan Amum and Kosti Manibe and others at State House Entebbe.

“During our stay in Uganda, we met with SPLM former detainee to discuss how the crisis can be address in our country. We are optimistic and hopeful that peace is around the corner and for sure the nightmare of war and conflict will come to an end and this country will be at peace with itself and enjoy prosperity,” Akol said.

Akol Paul Kordit has served as youth representative on the SPLM Political Bureau and was a member of the inter-factional talks held in Arusha, Tanzania.

The widow of SPLM founder John Garang, Rebecca Nyandeng, also joined the talks on the SPLM-G10 side. She told the UN radio service in South Sudan that the Entebbe meeting was “very important” because it represented an effort to reunite SPLM.

“If the people of South Sudan to see their leaders united, then people can rally behind them, but if the party is for months divided, then it will not be easy to the people. They will not know what their leaders are doing,” she added. 

News photo: Akol Paul Kordit, 17 November 2014