The Joint Technical Committee assigned to demarcate the border between South Sudan and Sudan have announced that a meeting to be held this month has been postponed, allegedly to discuss the parties’ positions on the five disputed areas.

A source familiar with the Sudanese side of the joint committee claimed in a press statement last Sunday that its delegation was ready to discuss differences but South Sudan’s delegation requested the meeting’s postponement.

South Sudan’s government reportedly called upon the African Union (AU) to delay the process on the grounds that they have not yet finished outlining their stance on the disputed areas.

However, the source questioned the reasons for Juba’s postponement and pointed out that the AU mediation group had expressed its dissatisfaction with Juba’s conduct in complying with the agreed terms required for the parties to reach an amicable solution in the area of demarcating and opening the border between the neighbours.