IGAD meeting on peace in S. Sudan again delayed to 23 November

November 15, 2015 (JUBA) – The summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) leaders in Juba has been again rescheduled to 23 November, South Sudanese information minister announced on Sunday.

In statements to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Michael Makuei Lueth said that the meeting of IGAD heads of states and governments was delayed from 19 to 23 November, adding the decision was taken by the regional body and not Juba government.

Lueth said the delay is due to previous commitments to the African leaders.

The meeting was delayed from 14 to 19 November in order to give more time to the former president of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae to settle the outstanding issues between the signatories of the peace agreement.

On Thursday Juba said the first vice-president designate Riek Machar would take part in the meeting which aims to encourage him and president Salva Kiir to implement the peace agreement and settle the outstanding issues.

However the SPLM-IO said its leader would not participate in the meeting before the arrival of its advance team and the resolution of political and security issues in the peace agreement.

(ST)