AFKInsider is covering the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit live this week in Washington, D.C.

New talks addressing peace and stability in South Sudan are underway in Addis Ababa,
special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, told journalists Monday at a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit press briefing.

Reiterating that this go-round, parties would get to the point with appropriate and impactful discussion, he also said that he has faith in a transitional government, which will soon be adopted.

“We have a country that’s at peace internally and with its neighbors. We feel that they deserve nothing less than peace,” Booth said about the the U.S. perspective of South Sudan.

“There’ll be no more talk about talks…IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) has made it clear that these talks cannot drag on. It’s time to achieve the peace agreements.”

IGAD is mediating the talks. During the briefing, Booth mentioned a May 9 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar, which albeit breached, influenced a reduction in violence.

“Two weeks ago, an opposition force was attacked,” Booth said. Stationed in Juba, the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces, he added, are being replaced by regional troops.

Now, the importance of the current peace talks is not so much about the parties involved nor a list of topics. Substantive issues like accountability and reconciliation will be discussed. In Addis Ababa, IGAD — the party which has the most leverage in final South Sudan peace agreements — will be encouraging “progress and seriousness of purpose,” Booth said.

The most pressing concern with the conflict in South Sudan is related to the subsequent humanitarian issues that have arisen. Roughly 400,000 refugees have fled the country while 1.5 million have been internally displaced. Overall, 40 percent of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance.

June 10, IGAD held a summit where Kiir and Machar agreed to aid in setting up a transitional government — a government, which will require continued cooperation. August 10, the 60-day grace period for the new government to be solidified, will expire.

“The transitional government that will be established is one that will be negotiated by the parties, “ Booth said. “I think there will be sufficient commitment to get them to adhere to what they agreed to.”

Recently sending $22 million, the U.S. has contributed $456 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan. The U.S. will continue working closely with IGAD to move talks along, and to demand effectiveness.