Nairobi — The special envoy of the President of the Republic, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin has pleaded with the heads of the states of the Great Lakes region to focus on South Sudan in order to join hands in addressing the problems facing the country as a result of the political crises in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR).

He said the country is going through challenges because of clashes at the borders and the high influx of refugees from DRC, CAR and even Sudan making the young nation to become a victim.

Dr. Benjamin made this appeal today while addressing the heads of state at the opening session of the extraordinary summit of the Great Lakes region in Nairobi Kenya.

This is the sixth extraordinary summit this single year on the security of the region following the crises caused by M-24 and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in DRC and CAR.

South Sudan, which is still a new member to the body, was highly welcomed by the heads of state for taking such a move. During the summit, the envoy extended President Kiir's goodwill message to the heads of state and affirmed the commitment to work for peace and stability in the region.

He also urged the summit to encourage Khartoum to engage in dialogue with the SPLM-N to ensure stability of South Sudan, which he said, is being accused by Khartoum of being behind the SPLM-N.

"The ongoing friction in the two Sudans is because the government in Khartoum thought Juba is behind the rebels who are disturbing Sudanese territories of Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile", he told the conference.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who is the chairperson of the conference, urged members to deal transparently with each other. He also challenged the United Nations to streamline its peacekeeping missions in the region to enhance impact. He also urged the regional leaders to deploy internal peacekeeping strategies to complement initiatives by the United Nations.

The host President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya called for a quick political and diplomatic resolution of all outstanding issues between Juba and Khartoum saying that Kenya, being the CPA guarantor, remains concerned about the recurring tension in the two Sudans. He pledged to establish a joint intelligent fusion center to spearhead the expeditious implementation of the protocol non-aggression and mutual defense.

The summit was attended by the presidents of Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic; special representative of the Secretary General, Madam Mary Robinson; Vice President of Sudan; AU commissioner; and delegations of the member states.