During a press conference held on Friday, April 28th, Deng Dau, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan, confirmed the country’s diplomatic engagement with the rival leaders of Sudan. He discussed the recent delegation of South Sudanese President Kiir and his Kenyan counterpart by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government to consult with the Sudanese leaders.

Deng emphasized that President Kiir has continued to engage with Sudan’s Chairman of Sovereign Council, General Burhan, and his Deputy, General Hemedit, urging them to come to the table. President Kiir has made several phone calls to both leaders, calling on them to respect the 72-hour ceasefire and allow access to humanitarian corridors and foreign countries to evaluate their diplomatic staff and citizens. This ceasefire was brokered by Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, and the United States.

This is not the first time that President Kiir has acted as a mediator on Sudanese affairs. Last year, he successfully brought together holdout groups and Sudanese leaders to negotiate a deal under his watch in Juba. This resulted in holdout groups entering Khartoum for the first time in decades since fighting with Bashir’s regime. The President even ordered his Ambassador in Sudan not to run away but to operate normally, despite other nations evaluating their diplomats and being concerned about their safety.

Overall, Deng’s statement highlights South Sudan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region, and President Kiir’s ongoing efforts to foster constructive dialogue and cooperation between Sudan’s rival leaders.