UN chief welcomes South Sudan peace talks

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the start of the South Sudan political talks between the government and the opposition, and he emphasized the need for both parties to adhere to a cease-fire agreement signed last month. The political talks between the South Sudan government and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) are taking place in the Ethiopian capital with mediation from the East African regional body called the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). “The secretary-general reiterates the importance of national political dialogue, with the participation of all South Sudanese political and civil-society representatives, including all senior SPLM detainees,” Ban’s office said in a statement. The U.N. chief was concerned by reports of continuing fighting in parts of Unity and Upper Nile states, and he reiterated the need for adherence to the January 23 cease-fire, the statement said.