South Sudan's Ministry of Information spokesman on progress of peace talks

(5 Jan 2014) Two warring factions from South Sudan held direct peace talks on Sunday for the first time since conflict broke out in the country last month, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing for safety.
The direct talks, focused on a cease-fire and the release of political prisoners, put representatives of President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar together in Ethiopia.
The talks between the two parties were delayed on Saturday because the sides had not yet agreed upon an agenda.
Speaking at Sunday's news conference, South Sudan's Information Minister said the government was "not ready to negotiate on pre-conditions," including calls from the rebels and the international community to release detainees.
Michael Makuei Lueth insisted that the government would not give in to international pressure to immediately release politicians detained after an alleged attempted coup last month.
"Each and every one will answer for the attempted coup," he told reporters.
President Salva Kiir says the fighting was sparked by a coup attempt mounted by soldiers loyal to Machar on 15 December.
However, that account has been disputed by some officials of the ruling party who say the violence began when presidential guards, from Kiir's Dinka ethnic group, tried to disarm those from the Nuer ethnic group to which Machar belongs.
From there, violence spread across the country, with forces loyal to Machar defecting and seizing territory from loyalist forces.
South Sudan has been plagued by ethnic tension and a power struggle within the ruling party that escalated after Kiir dismissed Machar as his vice president in July.
The rebels back Machar, who is now a fugitive sought by the military.
The UN has said at least 1,000 people have died. Some 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
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[@abeawan4936]

True patriot of South Sudan Michael Makuei 😍

[@AdutNhial-tp9fi]

True Patriot

[@MichaelOchilo-l1e]

What is the name of that guy talking

[@AdutNhial-tp9fi]

Michael makuei lueth

[@johnawaradhulai7889]

Michael Makuei Lueth