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South Sudanese President Salva Kiir arrived in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Thursday.
Kiir was welcomed by Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Aster Mamo at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport.
He is expected to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and envoys from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional trade bloc, the official said.
IGAD has been mediating peace talks between Kiir and the latter's sacked vice president, Riek Machar, aimed at ending months of deadly fighting in the world's newest state.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, a senior South Sudanese official attributed Kiir's Ethiopia visit to Juba's desire to ratchet up pressure on the opposition.
South Sudan has been shaken by violence since last December, when Kiir accused Machar of trying to overthrow his regime.
The conflict has already claimed more than 10,000 lives, with the U.N. estimating that some one million South Sudanese have been displaced by the violence.
Following weeks of IGAD-mediated peace talks in Addis Ababa, the two sides signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in January.
They have yet to reach an agreement, however, to resolve the ongoing conflict.
englishnews@aa.com.tr - Addis Ababa
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