Ramaphosa concludes South Sudan visit

Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his visit to South Sudan as part of a peace effort. Image: Swing Top Circle

According to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), Ramaphosa undertook the visit to familiarise himself with the unfolding events in South Sudan and to meet with key role-players.

"To this end, Ramaphosa met with the President of South Sudan, His Excellency, Salva Kiir Mayardit, cabinet ministers, leaders of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and other stakeholders," the department said in a statement.

He also paid courtesy calls on President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia and Ambassador Seymour who is facilitating the South Sudanese talks on behalf of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

South Africa, together with other countries, forms part of the IGAD, which is involved in the efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

Ramaphosa, who has experience in peace-making efforts, will now report to President Jacob Zuma about his visit.

Dirco says Ramaphosa will continue to engage with various role players in an effort to find a lasting peace, stability and reconciliation in South Sudan.

He was accompanied by Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, Collins Chabane.

Fighting started in the world's youngest country in December last year when President Salva Kiir accused his then Vice President Riek Machar of mounting a coup.

According to the UN thousands of people are believed to have been killed and some 870,000 others have fled their homes 145,000 of them to neighbouring countries and 75,000 to United Nations bases within the country, according to the UN.