JUBA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Thursday hailed South Sudan's mediation role in the ongoing peace process between the Sudanese government and various rebel groups in Juba.

Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, acting Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur, said the AU supports Juba's role in mediating between the warring parties in Sudan.

"The African Union indeed supports the peace process; we hope the Sudanese people will be united. It is time to exert effort to bring changes and focus on development in Sudan," Mamabolo told journalists in Juba.

He urged the Sudanese negotiating parties to resolve their outstanding differences and end the conflict. "It is a chance for the Sudanese parties to bring peace to the country," said Mamabolo.

Siliman Eldibelo, chairperson of peace commission in Sudan, revealed that the recent peace talks that commenced on Oct. 14 in Juba were transparent and helped raise much needed positive optimism to conclude the peace process.

"The AU is supporting peace and calling upon the parties to establish strategies for negotiations. Sudan is fully committed to negotiating with different factions," said Eldibelo.

He disclosed that all parties are focused on the peace process in Juba and welcomed the AU support for the peace process.

Sadig Adam Abdallah, head of civil administration in Sudan, disclosed that previous rounds of talks ended in futility without a solution to end the conflict that has killed and displaced several people in the Darfur and South Kordofan regions.

"The conflict in Darfur is more than 13 years now, it has been negotiated in Nigeria and Doha without any achievement," said Abdallah.

He revealed that the civil administration and civil society fully support the ongoing peace process. Enditem