The African Union has requested the South Sudanese government to set a date for resumption of meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) with Sudan.

Previously, Juba declined to attend a meeting scheduled to take place in late August.

Mahmud Khan, who heads the AU liaison office in Khartoum, said in Tuesday press statement that they officially requested from South Sudan to set a suitable date so the meetings can resume.

Khan pointed out that Khartoum has already informed them about its readiness for the meetings at any time. “This time we have requested Juba to set a suitable date for the meetings of the JPSM,” he said.

He explained the meeting’s purpose is to discuss issues related to support to rebels, identification of a zero line, and a demilitarized buffer zone between the two Sudans.