Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD multi-stakeholders’ symposium for South Sudan is starting today at the African Union or AU Commission premises in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The symposium is expected to bring together 150 representatives of South Sudanese society, including government, opposition, political parties, faith-based groups, civil society and traditional leaders.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom, IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ambassador Ismail Chergui and IGAD Special Envoys are expected to preside over the opening ceremony.
The symposium scheduled to end on Saturday, followed the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement President Salva Kiir Mayardit and SPLM/A in Opposition leader Dr Riek Machar Teny signed on May 9.
The two delegations were supposed to resume peace talks on Wednesday, but have to participate first in the stakeholders’ symposium.