Negotiations are ongoing between the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM) militia and the government in South Sudan's Western Equatoria state to bring peace to the region, according to a local official.

Hussein Ibrahim Enoka, Yambio County Commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that they are working to sign a new peace agreement with the SSNLM rebel group in Yambio town.

He pointed out that negotiations are ongoing between the SSNLM and influential government officials in an attempt to bring peace to the area.

The local official predicted that the negotiating parties will reach an agreement within 48 hours, saying the negotiation is being attended by a national delegation dispatched by the presidency.

Hussein said yesterday: "The SSNLM group is now ready to sign peace, so hopefully within the coming 48 hours, the signing will take place at Freedom Square in Yambio town."  

The SSNLM is one of several armed groups operating in the Yambio area led by ex-SPLA officers from different counties of Western Equatoria, the SSNLM signed a preliminary peace deal with the government in November last year.

A Presidential delegation was meant to arrive in January for a peace signing, but was delayed. Shortly after, government forces clashed with SSNLM in and around Yambio, and SSNLM leader Victor Wanga was wounded.

The SSNLM has said that they took up arms to force the government to listen to their grievances because their views were ignored when aired peacefully.