Peace talks that were expected to resume on 24 November in Addis Ababa have been postponed to allow the SPLM-IO to hold discussions in Pagak about the ongoing negotiations, according to an organizer of the Pagak conference.

The deputy organizing head Sebit Magok told Radio Tamazuj the SPLM-IO requested the delay until they have completed internal talks about the recently concluded intra-SPLM dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania, and other issues arising from earlier rounds of negotiations.

Ultimately, the SPLM-IO meeting hopes to produce resolutions that will support the peace effort, Magok said, and hinted the talks may still restart before the end of November.

Government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth acknowledged that the peace talks had been delayed at the rebel’s request, though he also said the two-week window the Intergovernmental Authority on Development gave both sides to gather feedback was not enough.

The SPLA-IO and SPLA-Juba have already agreed to allow the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to start leaving South Sudan, Magok said, though they have not yet started their withdrawal. That agreement came during a workshop on the implementation of an earlier ceasefire agreement that took place in Addis Ababa.