The deadline for South Sudanese war leaders Salva Kiir and Riek Machar to reach a peace deal passes today, but the two men will continue negotiating tomorrow, mediators announced.

A deadline of 5 March was set by mediators of the East African body IGAD after the last round of negotiations failed to produce an agreement. The regional body has claimed that it will impose punitive sanctions on the parties if they do not make a deal.   

“The IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan announce that President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit and Leader of the SPLM/A (In Opposition) Dr. Riek Machar will continue negotiations tomorrow morning, 6 March,” reads a statement released on Thursday evening.

It adds, “The Special Envoys urge the Principals to use the limited time that remains to make progress on the outstanding issues of the mediation agenda. A further statement from the IGAD Special Envoys will be forthcoming tomorrow.”