Representatives of the SPLM-In Opposition faction at the peace talks in Addis Ababa are demanding Kiir’s government deal with its external debts before a peace deal is reached.

SPLM-IO deputy head of information and public relations Manawa Peter Gatkuoth told Radio Tamazuj that they had requested the government during the previous round of talks to address the issue of external debts together at the peace talks.

He further said they will never be part of the debts if a peace deal is signed with the government without prior discussion on the matter.

“Our focus in not on our debts, our focus is on the total debts. After we know the total debts then the SPLA-IO will look for ways how to pay back its debts,” he said, stressing that reaching a peace agreement will be difficult before the issue of external debts in tackled.

In July last year, the South Sudan's government reportedly borrowed $76 million from a Dutch company and $256 million from a Chinese company, and was planning to borrow about a half billion more in order to cover a budget gap.

Oil outputs have dropped since December, affecting the main source of cash for the government. Meanwhile, expenses for arms imports, military salaries, and military operations have risen dramatically.

The rebel spokesman accused the government of squandering public money on foreign troops and other militia that are fighting alongside the government since fighting erupted in December 2013.

“The government previously said clearly that about 70% of the SPLA soldiers had defected to the rebels. So why shouldn’t the government use their salaries for war efforts?” he asked.

Gatkuoth also accused some influential politicians within the Juba government of borrowing money just to serve their own interests.