The East African regional organization IGAD has invited the South Sudanese government and SPLA-IO rebels for a consultative meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on 8 June.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, the SPLM-IO head of external relations committee Dhieu Mathok confirmed that they received a letter officially from IGAD to convene a consultative meeting from 8 until 10 June in Addis Ababa.

The rebel official further said the meeting will be attended by SPLM-IO chief negotiator Taban Deng and two others from their side. He added the invitation did not include the agenda for the meeting.

"So we our delegation will be attending the meeting in Addis Ababa on 8 June," he said.

With regard to the intra-party 'Arusha' dialogue process, Mathok said the SPLM-IO faction is for the reunification process, but they prefer its implementation after reaching a comprehensive peace.

Claims of clashes in N Bahr al Ghazal

Dhieu Mathok claimed that their forces defeated government forces in clashes in Northern Bahr al Ghazal State on Wednesday. He pointed out that they captured some areas, saying they also seized military equipment.

"The participation of people from Northern Bahr al Ghazal state in the revolution indicates that the regime in Juba is about to collapse," he said.

 But Radio Tamazuj could not reach government officials to comment on the battles in the state.

The commissioner of Aweil North County Kon Angok Kon earlier acknowledged that opposition forces were present in the northern part of the county near the border with Darfur.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, he accused forces of defector Dau Aturjong and rebel leader Riek Machar of carrying out activities in the area. He added that the opposition forces include those who defected from Wau last year.

File photo: Riek Machar and Salva Kiir at the signing of the 9 May "Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan."