As the people of South Sudan prepared to celebrate the first anniversary of their independence, Desmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson travelled to Ethiopia and South Sudan on 5-10 July 2012.
During their discussions in Addis Ababa and Juba, the Elders urged the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to pursue the path of peace and make decisive progress in the new round of African Union-chaired talks.
During their discussions in Addis Ababa and Juba, the Elders urged the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to pursue the path of peace and make decisive progress in the new round of African Union-chaired talks.
Mary Robinson on board a plane during The Elders' visit to S
The Elders began their visit on 5 July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the African Union-chaired talks between Sudan and South Sudan had just resumed.
At their meeting with Thabo Mbeki, former South African president and Chairperson of the AU’s High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and Pierre Buyoya, former President of Burundi and member of the AUHIP, they praised the Panel’s efforts in bringing the parties back to the negotiating table.
At their meeting with Thabo Mbeki, former South African president and Chairperson of the AU’s High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and Pierre Buyoya, former President of Burundi and member of the AUHIP, they praised the Panel’s efforts in bringing the parties back to the negotiating table.
Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu and Martti Ahtisaari meet offici
Following the May 2012 visit to Sudan by Jimmy Carter and Lakhdar Brahimi, in July 2012 Desmond Tutu, Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson travelled to the region to further encourage peace efforts between Sudan and South Sudan.
Photos: Adriane Ohanesian | The Elders