Regional countries have temporarily put aside the option of sanctions against spoilers of the South Sudan peace negotiations because they say there has been some progress in the talks.

However, the communiqué that was issued by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) partner states on November 7 threatening sanctions, still stands and can be evoked once there is total stalemate in the talks.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amina Mohamed told The EastAfrican that the Igad communiqué is still valid but the region is waiting for the two groups to report back on the progress of their own internal dialogue in January.

“We are waiting because there have been some movements in the negotiations. We understand that the government had to give time to the rebels because they were facing logistical challenges before they held their conference in Pagak,” said Ms Mohamed.

READ: Warring South Sudan parties draft terms for return to peace

South Sudan Foreign Affairs Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin was in Nairobi a week ago as part of the shuttle diplomacy after touring the US and Russia to persuade key countries not to impose sanctions. Ms Mohamed said they spoke about negotiations in Addis Ababa and how Kenya can help speed them up.

READ: Threat of sanctions checks South Sudan leaders

By the time the negotiators adjourned for the Christmas break, the two sides had only agreed that the transitional government of national unity would have 27 ministries, and that the country would be a federal state, but the government side is yet to accept the rebel proposal to divide the country into 21 units, up from the current 10 states.

Agreement

They also agreed on economic reforms like investing the country’s petrodollar earnings in the agricultural sector, but not the rebel proposal to give 70 per cent of oil revenue to the states that produce the oil.

Still outstanding is the issue of two separate armies during the pre-transition period, as well as the structure of power-sharing and the executive powers between the president and the prime minister. Igad proposed an executive president and the nominal slot of prime minister to be taken by the opposition. But Dr Machar’s side is pushing for an executive prime minister.

Because of these disagreements, Uganda’s International Affairs Minister Okello Oryem told The EastAfrican there were concerns in South Africa that the two sides could go to war again. 

“What President Zuma got from President Museveni is that Uganda’s position remains that of Igad, that Salva Kiir is an executive president and Riek Machar becomes prime minister. Machar has recently been to South Africa over this matter, but this IGAD position is the one that will hold,” he said, referring to South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma meeting with Preident Yoweri Museveni.

James Gatdet Dak, Dr Riek Machar’s spokesperson, said he was confident of more progress when Igad reconvenes the negotiations in January provided there is no major fighting. Already, there is tension in Jonglei state as well as Nimule in Central Equatoria.

The talks had resumed on December 18 to address four key issues: To complete the implementation of the ceasefire and security arrangements that were signed in January 23; security arrangements for the pre-transition period; resource sharing among the 10 states; and reforms in economic and financial management.