The warring parties in South Sudan will hold direct talks Sunday in Addis Ababa on a possible ceasefire, negotiators representing President Salva Kiir and his rival, former vice president Riek Machar, said Saturday. "Talks between the two sides will officially begin tomorrow," said Myong Kuon, a member of the opposition delegation. The opposition party wants political prisoners to be released and a national state of emergency lifted. "The Republic of South Sudan is ready to discuss ways and means that will bring a speedy end to the armed conflict in the country," said the chief of the government delegation, Nhial Deng. According to dpa, the talks should also help address outstanding political grievances in the country, Deng said. East African negotiators in the Ethiopian capital had struggled throughout the day to initiate direct talks between the parties.
