China appreciates IGAD mediation in South Sudan

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman here on Tuesday expressed China's appreciation and support for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in South Sudan.

Hua Chunying voiced the appreciation at a daily press briefing, when asked to comment on the IGAD summit which ended recently.

After last Friday's summit in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, the bloc issued a communique condemning the violence in South Sudan, the world's youngest country, which only gained independence in 2011 after breaking away from Sudan.

Hua said China has been actively engaged in promoting peace talks since the outbreak of the conflict, including working with relevant parties in South Sudan and providing humanitarian aid.

China's special representative on African Affairs Zhong Jianhua made contact with all parties on the sidelines of the summit, and will push ahead his efforts in the area, she said.

China urged the two conflicting parties in South Sudan to take national and people's interests first, respond to mediations by the international community and solve their dispute through talks, she said.

"For the next stage, China will step up communication and coordination with all parties to bring stability back to South Sudan at an early date," Hua said.

South Sudan has been witnessing violent clashes between government troops and forces loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar.

IGAD is a grouping of east African states that include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.