Rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to meet South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba on Tuesday to discuss the peace deal, reported Africa News.
The news of Riek’s meeting with Kiir was confirmed to Radio Tamazuj by the deputy spokesman of the opposition forces. The two leaders are expected to discuss important issues aimed at finalizing the peace accord signed in September of last year.
South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked his deputy Machar leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to both leaders.
Kiir and Machar had agreed in September to establish a power-sharing government by November 12. But South Sudan’s rival leaders missed the deadline as some critical conditions for the formation of the unity government were not met including issues related to security arrangements, governance and the integration of fighting forces.
As part of the agreement, forces from the warring sides were also meant to be registered and merged to form a national army of more than 80,000 soldiers, which was supposed to be followed by Machar’s return from exile. While the integration of the forces is still pending, the rebels have accused Kiir’s government of failing to disburse the $100m it had pledged for the implementation of the deal.
The delay raised new concerns for a fragile peace process in a country devastated by years of ruinous civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions of others.
In November, the two leaders agreed to push back the formation of the new administration by 100 days until February 2020. But little or no progress has been made since then.
The South Sudanese leaders are even facing international pressure to form the unity government. Last month, the United States government recalled its ambassador from South Sudan and called for a re-evaluation of the relationship between the two countries.
