The South Sudan peace talks negotiation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia continued yesterday morning, the government delegation's spokesperson said.

Michael Makuei Lueth told Radio Tamazuj that peace talks have commenced and the delegations have divided into three specialized committees to discuss creation of ministries and status of armed forces.

“So far we have agreed to create 27 ministries with their deputies but had outstanding issues: some two ministries and the deputies of the prime minister," Makuei said.

Makuei declined to disclose which two ministries were still disputed, but he said there will be another sitting to debate the issue.

'No progress' on security arrangements

The spokesperson further noted that the security and economy committees are continuing deliberations so have yet to submitted their reports to the high leadership of the negotiating steering committee.

Sources within the economic committee told Radio Tamazuj that the two parties have not made progress over the structure of South Sudan's armed forces.

The government demands integration of the two SPLA factions during the proposed transitional period, but the opposition wants separate armies as well as integration of civilian militias who fought.

Sudan apologizes for rebel accusations

Separately, Makuei claimed that Khartoum has apologized for accusations that Juba is hosting and supporting Sudanese rebels in South Sudan.

Earlier this week, a Sudanese official threatened to pursue northern rebels into South Sudanese territory.

“The Sudanese Ambassador in Juba had presented an official apology to the Government of South Sudan in which he explained that those statements do not represent the position of the Sudanese government,” Makuei said.

Makuei would not comment on those accusations, stressing that the relationship between the two countries is progressing well as they work to implement the joint cooperation agreement.

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