The South Sudanese government and the armed opposition led by Riek Machar have reached an agreement on declaration of the principles for the peace negotiations, but signing of the declaration apparently will not take place until it is agreed the SPLM ‘group of seven’ may also sign.

This came after a meeting between the warring parties lasting for couples of hours since the morning today Monday with the presence of the IGAD mediation.

For its part, during the meeting the mediation refused a signing at this point without the inclusion of the former political detainees.

Although the IGAD mediators have not held a press conference yet, Radio Tamazuj managed to obtained this leaked information immediately following the meeting.

IGAD mediation has been striving to convince the government delegation to accept to include the third bloc in the negotiations, but the government seems to be still sticking to its position of opposing their involvement.

Meanwhile, the armed opposition has already welcomed the participation of the G7 in the Declaration of Principles. 

File photo: Seyoun Mesfin, IGAD chief mediator