South Sudanese President Salva Kiir is expected to travel to Addis Ababa on Monday as the ongoing peace talks reportedly have stalled over security arrangements, among other issues.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth stated they have disagreed on some outstanding issues, but he did not provide further details about those issues.
He disclosed that President Kiir would arrive in Addis Ababa today Monday to discuss the outstanding issues.
At the end of the previous round of peace talks, President Kiir and his rival Riek Machar signed a document agreeing to resume negotiations on 19 February. The document stated that this round of peace talks would be the final negotiations and will be conducted by the two Principals, but Kiir never showed up.
A source close to the SPLM-IO faction revealed that the main obstacles at the talks are security arrangements during the planned transitional period as well as the issue of debts.
“Peace talks have stalled due to some outstanding issues, but we referred those issues to the two principles so that they look at them. Yes, the president would come on Monday to discuss the outstanding issues” Makuei said.
Meanwhile, SPLM-G10 member John Luk Jok told Radio Tamazuj that three thematic committees for governance, economy and security have already completed their task on Saturday.
He added that the three committees presented their report to a high leadership committee to look into the outstanding issues for further discussion.
The SPLM former detainees expect that the Kiir-Machar meeting will discuss all the outstanding issues.
“What are remaining now are the disagreed issues that will be discussed by the two principles. Riek Machar is here in Addis Ababa and Salva is expected to arrive on Monday,” he said.