The third round of peace talks between the South Sudanese government and the rebels are scheduled to resume today in Addis Ababa, with delegations from both sides recently arrived in the Ethiopian capital for the talks. 

In his remarks to the press at Juba Airport yesterday before departure, the spokesman of the government negotiating team Michael Makuei Lueth stated the delegation was travelling to the Ethiopian capital for the resumption of the talks on Monday.

Lueth, who is also the Information Minister, noted there was no breakthrough during the last round of talks, particularly on the agenda and the declaration of principles.

“On the declaration of principles the SPLM/SPLA had observations on some points, while the government did not agree with the opposition on the agenda, because the government believes that not everything will be resolved in Addis Ababa,” said the minister.

“Certainly there are issues that need the participation of political parties, civil society, youths and women such as issues of governance and constitutional making,” he explained.

Makuei revealed that the seven former detainees known as ‘G7’ will not take part in the third round of peace talks, saying that the former political detainees have been excluded from the peace negotiations because they are not a party to the talks.

For his part, the spokesman of the SPLM/SPLA-in-Opposition at the peace talks Hussein Mar Nyuot told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that his delegation had already arrived in Addis Ababa.

He reiterated their readiness to engage in the peace process at the ongoing talks, saying that they had consultations with their top leadership in regard to the continuation of peace talks with the government.

Photo: Minister Michael Makuei Lueth speaks to the press at Juba Airport, 27 April 2014