South Sudan peace negotiations, which restarted just last week, have already been adjourned so participants do not “spoil their Christmas season and the New Year season,” said Seyoum Mesfin, the chief negotiator for the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

But he added, “It’s not because we have been convinced there is enough agreement achieved to lead us into adjournment.”

Instead, he said IGAD had received reports that both sides are preparing for “further military action on the ground,” in violation of a cessation of hostilities agreement they both signed – and renewed last month.

IGAD “cannot help but express our disappointment and dismay at the continued violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement,” he said.

There was some progress made in committee meetings that have taken place over the past few days, he said, including efforts to map out a post-conflict governance system.

No date was set for renewed discussions.