Tut Gatluak, a security adviser to President Salva Kiir, said a unity government will be formed by 12 November despite several unresolved issues.

“The committee is ready to form a transitional government on November 12 without any delay,” said Tut Gatluak, who is also the head of the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), speaking to reporters in Juba on Friday.

Gatluak pointed out that the committee is working on pre-transitional period arrangements, such as training the national army and resolving the issue of states, adding that the transfer of forces to assembly areas is still continuing.

The government official disclosed that President Kiir is due to meet opposition leader Riek Machar and other opposition officials before a unity government is formed on 12 November.

President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and a number of other opposition groups signed the peace agreement in September 2018, but the rival leaders had been unable to create a unified army and determine the number of states since the deal was signed.

The main opposition group (SPLM- IO) earlier this month rejected a push for a unity government in November without proper security arrangements and agreement on the internal boundaries of states.

Last week, the UN Security Council called on the rival parties to resolve pending issues to allow for the formation of a unity government as originally planned.