IGAD-led peace talks between South Sudan's government and SPLA-IO rebels continued in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for the second day without the presence of Salva Kiir or Riek Machar.

SPLM-G10 member John Luk Jok told Radio Tamazuj that the negotiations are ongoing between the warring factions through thematic committees on economic, security, and governance to resolve address outstanding issues.

“These committees are the same committees formed previously, and the agenda is the outstanding issues,” Luk said.

The former justice minister said it is premature to predict the outcome of the talks because the talks are still at early stages.

This week, the UK Foreign Office Minister Baroness Joyce Anelay expressed concern over a report that Kiir will not travel to Addis Ababa for this final round of talks, reversing a previous commitment to regional leaders.

The British official added in a statement that the recent proposal of the Government of South Sudan to modify the constitution to extend the mandate of the President and the National Legislature by two years must not be used as a reason to delay concluding a peace agreement by 5 March.

Related:

Peace talks begin in Addis without Kiir, political parties, AU report (24 Feb.)

UK says Kiir reversed promise to attend peace talks (23 Feb.)

File photo: John Luk Jok