South Sudan's SPLM-IO rebels blamed the government for the slow movement of peace talks.

The accusation comes after IGAD mediators set a 28 August deadline for negotiators to reach an agreement on contentious issues, a source close to the talks told Radio Tamazuj Thursday.

Head of external relations committee Dr. Dhieu Mathok told Radio Tamazuj Friday that the deadline set is enough if the parties involved are serious to reach peace but won't be reached if there is no political will.

Dhieu blamed the Juba government for breaking the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 9 May, and said a matrix for implementing that agreement would have been signed if Ugandan troops and Sudanese rebel forces were withdrawn.

Dhieu said there would be a meeting Friday evening where stakeholders will express their views on the agenda put forward by IGAD.

He urged the international community to carry out its responsibilities in putting an end to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

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