United States or US Department Counselor visiting Juba for the first time to follow up State Secretary John Kerry’s mission in Africa on Saturday said it was very painful to witness South Sudan conflict after collective global efforts to create the nation.
Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon vowed that the US would strengthen commitment to resolve the conflict through ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The diplomat revealed plans to proceed to Addis Ababa for expected meeting on June 9 between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Dr Riek Machar.
The diplomat believes the expected formation of Government of National Unity would create conducive environment for political space to practice democratic elections through IGAD, AU, UN and other international partners’ guidance.
Ambassador Shannon added that it would be up to South Sudanese to decide the kind of governance they want.
Some observers already expressed fears that Government of National Unity bringing President Kiir and Dr Machar on board would produce another future bloody conflict.