The Former Political Detainees (FDs) have criticized the regional bloc's approach to carry out consultations with the South Sudan parties before the peace talks.

On Monday, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) foreign ministers carried out behind the scene consolations with the unity government.

Majak D'Agoot, who is a leading member of the former detainees’ group, said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj that IGAD's 'prisoners’ dilemma approach' to carry out consultations with the South Sudan peace was not effective.

“They consult with one side and block the other side and nobody knows what is going on, so we have presented our position to them. I think the group led by Riek Machar and the government in Juba have also presented their positions,” he said.

“What has been revealed by the mediation is that the viewpoints are divergent, and the positions are far apart,” he added.

“I think the prisoners’ dilemma approach for consultations has a lot of problems, but that’s the approach they have chosen to carry out consultations with the parties, so we will see what will happen.”

Meanwhile, a leading civil society organization in South Sudan, has called on the regional bloc to be transparent during the consultation phase.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the non-profit Community Empowerment for Progress (CEPO), said outcomes of behind the scene consultations on peace should be made public to help bring the parties closer.

The regional bloc last week adjourned the peace talks to 17-21 May, saying there was a need for more time to allow continuation of shuttle diplomacy meetings with the South Sudan parties.