A round of "unofficial" peace talks between the Sudan government and the rival SPLM-North rebel group ended in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Friday.

The parties were unable to resolve key outstanding issues but agreed to hold another informal meeting soon for further consultations.

SPLM-N spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said the latest talks addressed ways of achieving comprehensive peace and the participation of all Sudanese parties in dialogue, political and security arrangements on Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

Ardol said they emphasized the need to end the war simultaneously in the two regions as well as in Darfur.

FIle photo: Omer Suleiman (L), Sudanese government deputy chief negotiator, and Yasir Arman (R), SPLM-N top negotiator, Addis Ababa, 2 March 2014 (AUHIP)