Addis Ababa, February 16, 2019 (SSNA) — A high-level delegation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) visited Ethiopia this week and discussed peace-related issues with Ethiopian officials, a source with the Ethiopian’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with details of the meeting told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) in Addis Ababa today.
The source said the meeting took place on Tuesday (February 12) and that the main agenda on the discussion was the implementation of the September 2018 peace agreement. The source also said SPLM-IO delegation was headed by its national committee chair for security and defense Angelina Teny.
The SSNA asked the source why the visit was not publicized, the Ethiopian official responded, saying, “I have no clue,” adding, “Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met with the SPLM-IO delegation on February 12. This is what I know for fact.”
The source added that the armed opposition delegation praised Ethiopia for its role in the peace process. The official further explained that Ethiopia’s foreign minister, Dr. Workneh assured the SPLM-IO that his country is committed to bringing about a lasting peace in the war-wracked young nation.
Attempts by the South Sudan News Agency to get confirmation from the leadership of the SPLM-IO went unanswered. However, a source with the SPLM-IO liaison office in Addis Ababa confirmed the report, saying, the SPLM-IO did, in fact, meet with Ethiopian officials this week.