The coalition of non-signatory armed groups has reiterated its refusal to join the revitalised peace deal, calling on the East African bloc of nations IGAD to open the pact for amendments.

On Monday, the IGAD special envoy for South Sudan Ismail Wais met with the leader of the South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA) in Addis Ababa, where they discuss the timeframe and modalities for further engagements with him and his team.

The meeting with Cirillo, who is also the leader of the rebel group National Salvation Front (NAS), also touched on the urgency of stopping the ongoing hostilities especially in Yei River State and other affected areas.

Hakim Dario, leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that IGAD has made a choice for conflict in South Sudan.

“PDM is dismayed that IGAD has made a choice for conflict and is not in favour of renegotiating R-ARCSS to include legitimate demands of the non-signatories. The IGAD Special Envoy is asking non-signatories to join implementation of R-ARCSS only, but not to discuss where amendments of the non-signatories could be incorporated to make it inclusive by power-sharing between the peoples of Equatoria, Bahr al Ghazal and Upper Nile regions,” Hakim said.

“The consultation held on 25th February 2019 by IGAD special envoy for South Sudan with Lt. General Thomas Cirillo in Addis Ababa about stopping the war in Yei is misplaced, because IGAD knows well who started it. It wasn't NAS who violated the 21st December 2017 CoHA. The talks about stopping the war in Yei should be with President Salva Kiir in Juba and not in Addis Ababa,” he added.

Hakim, who is part of the coalition of non-signatory groups, said they only welcome talks for reviewing the "flawed agreement".

PDM called on the international community to sanction President Salva Kiir for the crimes and atrocities committed against civilians in Yei, and to recognize the need to negotiate a just and lasting peace in South Sudan.

The holdout armed groups call for a federal system of governance and devolution of powers to the regions.

In September last year, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and several opposition leaders, including Riek Machar, signed a power-sharing deal promising an end to the conflict that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

A new unity government is expected to be established in May 2019.