General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, a special envoy of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, kicked off the new round of peace talks by criticizing both sides for recent breaches of the cessation of hostilities agreement, including a rebel statement claiming credit for an attack on a trade convoy earlier this week along the Juba-Nimule road, as well as recent attacks carried out by government forces in northern Jonglei.

Ahead of closed-door sessions, he encouraged both parties to exert the maximum effort to return peace to the country. He said that upcoming meetings of the current round will include sittings of the security and economic committees.

Mediators confirmed that a group headed by Lam Akol, the leader of South Sudan’s main opposition party, remains absent from the talks. He has been prevented from traveling by the government. 

Members of the SPLM/A-IO confirmed there will be a mini-summit at the end of the current session. It will include leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. An official date has not been set.