A senior government negotiator says the peace talks between the government and the holdout opposition group, South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance, SSOMA will start within the week. 

The talks were to resume today, October 5, 2020, under the auspices of the Rome-based Sant’ Egidio Community.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the spokesperson of the government negotiating team, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the talks could not start due to logistical delays.

“There have been delays in processing the visas for the delegation. You know, the Rome visas are processed in Addis. We sent a group to process the visas for the delegation, they arrive tomorrow, and then the delegation will travel. So, the talks will start hopefully on 9th October,” he said.

Marial said his team is ready to travel once the visas are out assuring that the government is determined to reach a compromise with the group.

SSOMA is expected to attend the talks but they were not immediately available for comment.