Michael Makuei Lueth, the South Sudanese information minister and spokesman of the government, says the government is ready to continue negotiations with Riek Machar’s opposition group in Addis Ababa.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in Addis Ababa on Sunday, he said the violations of the ceasefire agreement should not stop the talks from moving forward. 

“The two sides will continue with the negotiations and we from our side as government will continue in the negotiations despite this breach by the opposition,” said Makuei.

He noted, however, that the rebel delegation requested to postpone a session scheduled for Sunday until Monday.

The agreement signed by Riek Machar and Salva Kiir on Friday commits the two sides to “engage in substantive discussions, via the IGAD-led peace process.”

IGAD, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, is the East African bloc of nations leading the mediation of the peace process.

Riek and Kiir have also agreed to “direct our respective representatives to the IGAD- led peace process to negotiate the terms of a transitional government of national unity.”

This transitional government, according to the text of the 9 May agreement, would implement “critical reforms as negotiated through the peace process” and would oversee a permanent constitutional process.

Photo: Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth (youtube.com)

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