Peace talks between South Sudan’s government and holdout opposition groups that were set to take place next week in Italy have been moved to Belgium over coronavirus fears.
More than 3,800 people have so far tested positive for the coronavirus while 148 have died in Italy, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Barnaba Marial Benjamin, head of the government negotiating team, told Radio Tamazuj this morning that the location of the talks has been moved from Rome to Brussels.
“The location has been moved to Brussels over coronavirus fears. The third round of peace talks will take place towards the end of next week,” Marial said.
He added, “The meeting was initially scheduled to take place in Rome on March 9, but it has now been changed to the end of next week”.
Marial, a former presidential adviser and special envoy, said his delegation will engage in dialogue with the coalition of holdout opposition groups with an open mind.
The South Sudanese politician has called on citizens to live together in peace and harmony in order to develop a prosperous nation.
The opposition coalition, known as the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), brings together nine opposition groups that did not sign the September 2018 peace deal.
The group signed a truce agreement with the government in Rome on 12 January. Peace negotiations between the government and the coalition of holdout opposition groups are mediated by the Rome-based Sant’ Egidio Community.
Both sides started the negotiation process in November 2019.