Meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the rival factions in South Sudan agreed on Friday to extend the pre-transitional period for up to six months. The extension has been a key demand of opposition groups who wants security arrangements to be completed before any government is formed
“We have agreed, the government of President Salva [Kiir] have agreed to the extension for six months and now we have a task to complete in front of us,” an opposition official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that “During these six months, we will work hand-in-hand with each other to make sure that all the necessary preparations are completed. We will make sure that the unified army is established, and the number of states is deliberated upon,”
The government of President Salva Kiir had planned to form a governemt by the May 12. But with the new agreement the parties have now until November 12th 2019 to form a unity government. The agreed upon extension is none extendable and will be deducted from the 36 months of the transitional period meaning elections will be conducted as scheduled in March 2022.
