With the looming tensions inside South Sudan over the 2018 peace agreement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Juba on Monday for bilateral discussions with President Salva Kiir.

The difficulties preventing the execution of the peace agreement were also discussed by Dr. Abiy and First Vice President Riek Machar.

"The two leaders (Kiir and Abiy) headed the government secretariat where they held a meeting on bilateral issues with regional dimension including the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement," acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Dau Male told reporters after the meeting.

"South Sudan treasures its historical links with Ethiopia and acknowledges Ethiopia's important interest in reestablishing peace and security," Mr. Male added.

Misganu Arega, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, who was a member of the group, reaffirmed the dedication of his nation to aiding Juba in establishing enduring peace.

Ambassador Misganu declared, "Ethiopia pleads particularly important to the peace and stability of South Sudan and is dedicated to peaceful resolution of challenges.

Dr. Abiy spent a day on business in Juba.

Juba justification
Dr. Abiy's trip to Juba coincided with the most recent argument between the two leaders, President Kiir and his deputy, Machar, over the switching of two important ministerial positions that are a part of the 2018 peace agreement, which distributed the portfolio among parties to the agreement.

Dr. Machar and Mr. Kiir met on Friday in an effort to settle their disagreement, but nothing has been decided as of yet.

The parties were asked by peace guaranteeing organizations such the African Union, United Nations, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) to settle the most recent disagreement and hasten the full implementation of the peace agreement.

They called for "a renewed focus by all signatories to the Revitalised Peace Agreement as outlined in the Roadmap, for its full and timely implementation" in a joint statement. They also urged the parties to "maintain collegial collaboration, continuous consultations, and consensus-building in the letter and spirit of the Invigorated Contract."