Kerry, Kiir discuss ways to advance talks in Ethiopia on conflict in South Sudan

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on Monday with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to discuss ways to advance talks taking place in Ethiopia between parties to the conflict in South Sudan, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday. Kerry also reiterated his support for the democratically elected government of South Sudan, she said during a briefing. "He urged President Kiir to use the talks to find a peaceful, democratic way forward and reiterated the need for senior SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement) members currently detained by the government of Sudan to be present for political discussions to be meaningful and productive," she said. Kerry asked Kiir "to make good on his commitment to release all political detainees immediately," she said. The two also discussed "the urgent need for both sides to immediately halt fighting on the ground and protect civilians even as talks continue," Psaki said. Kerry reiterated that the US will deny support and work to apply international pressure to any elements that use force to seize power from the government of South Sudan, she said. US officials do not have any indication that Sudan is playing a negative role in the current political crisis in South Sudan, she noted