The South Sudanese government delegation on Wednesday said discussions with opposition groups at the ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa were progressing well, but the parties could not sign the declaration of principles today as expected.
“Talks started very well this morning. This is the actual function which has started today and we are moving very well,” Michael Makuei, Minister of Information said.
“We are optimistic that probably by tomorrow or next tomorrow we will be in a position to say we have finished chapter one on governance, and thereafter we move to transitional security arraignments and others parts,” he added.
The government spokesman said discussions on permanent ceasefire will start once all outstanding issues are agreed upon at the peace talks.
Makuei reiterated his government’s commitment to return to South Sudan with a final peace agreement with opposition groups.
Declaration of principles not signed
South Sudanese rivals today could not sign the declaration of principle, which would be the basis of the ongoing negotiations.
Multiple sources at the ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa told Radio Tamauj this evening that discussions on provisions of chapter 1 took time. They pointed out that it was decided that the declaration of principles will be signed on Thursday morning.
UPDATE: This story has been updated at 21:32 pm, 7/1/2018 with information about the parties which could not sign the declaration of principles today.