The African Union Peace and Security Council delegation Monday met the South Sudan cabinet in Juba ahead of the next round of peace talks in Addis Ababa on April 26.

South Sudan Information minister Michael Makuei confirmed the meeting between the cabinet and the 25-member AU delegation.

Mr Makuei said members of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) council of ministers were also expected in Juba on Tuesday.

Political actors

The two delegations are also scheduled to meet other South Sudanese political actors.

The delegations are expected to put pressure on the parties to the conflict to commit to the peaceful political settlement of the crisis in the war-torn state.

The AU Peace and Security Council delegation is headed by its chairman, Nigerian diplomat Bankole Adeoye.

Exchanged views

The delegation that arrived in Juba on Saturday has already met with a number of African diplomats in Juba and exchanged views on the peace process.

The team was also expected to meet President Salva Kiir before travelling to Malakal town in the former Upper Nile State for an on-spot assessment of the situation.