South Sudan has welcomed China’s role as a mediator in peace talks aimed at ending the civil war, a diplomat from the country said on Sunday.
While speaking to Xinhua news agency, , South Sudan Ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU, James Morgan, said the enhanced Chinese role in the peace process will encourage South Sudanese warring parties to achieve peace.
South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 following a feud between President Salva Kiir and his then deputy Riek Machar. Kiir accused the latter of plotting to overthrow his rule.
Machar denied those allegations but soon went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
The war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, making the country Africa’s biggest refugee crisis.
“China is urging everybody to arrive at peace without sanctioning anybody. China doesn’t take sides in the South Sudan civil war and Chinese peacekeepers’ role in South Sudan has been positive,” Morgan said.
He also pointed to China’s stance that Africa’s problem should be solved by Africans. “China’s role in South Sudan peace talks is to make sure peace and stability returns to the country that satisfies all South Sudanese parties.”
China has sent several groups of peacekeeping troops and police to South Sudan under the UN mandate since the outbreak of the civil strife in the East African nation.
Chinese peacekeepers in South Sudan have been engaged in protecting refugee camps, repairing broken infrastructures and facilitating local peace initiatives.
