South Sudan Peace Process: Formation of new unity government remains in limbo

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Now to the South Sudan peace talks. The formation of a new government of national unity remains in limbo, after the current government and opposition failed to come to an agreement. They have just 10 days left before the deadline, and the opposition is already calling for six more months of talks. Coletta Wanjohi reports from Ethiopia's Addis Ababa, where the talks have been taking place.

For eight months, South Sudan's two main factions have tried to seal a deal that would create a new Government. But with less than a fortnight to go, the opposition says it needs 6 more months.

POUT KANG OPPOSITION MEMBER "The security arrangement must be completed before the formation of the government. And that's argument said: Article 2.21. And also the number of states, because we must go into that government, not to negotiate again but to implement the agreement as it came."

But the government says it has no reservations.

MICHEAL MAKUEI MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, SOUTH SUDAN "What do you mean by 'Is the government ready?' If the gov't was not ready then we would not have come here!"

One oversight group says there are 15 major tasks that are still pending in order to achieve a total ceasefire.

AUGOSTINO NJOROGE INTERIM CHAIR, RECONSTITUTED JOINT MONITORING AND EVALUATION COMMISSION (RJMEC) "Refraining from acts of sexual and gender-based violence by the parties, also cantonment, disarmament screening, demobilization , selection, unification and training of force. And demilitarization of civilian centers."

Other challenges include a delay in the establishment of some institutions, financial constraints and lack of coordination.

COLETTA WANJOHI ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA "The push and pull between the South Sudanese government and the opposition over the setting up of a new unity government opens up a lot of uncertainty about the return of total peace in South Sudan. But the United Nations is warning the parties that there is no option - other than peace."