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Direct talks on South Sudan ceasefire delayed Direct talks on South Sudan open in Ethiopia
(about 11 hours later)
Hopes of a quick agreement to end weeks of violence in South Sudan have been dashed, after talks in Ethiopia between the warring parties were delayed. Direct talks on ending the conflict in South Sudan have officially opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Teams representing President Salva Kiir and sacked deputy Riek Machar were due to meet face-to-face on Saturday. No new timings have been announced. The negotiations are focusing on bringing about a ceasefire and the release of political prisoners.
Heavy fighting is continuing in South Sudan. At least 1,000 people have been killed since 15 December. Rebels supporting sacked Deputy President Riek Machar are involved in fierce fighting with the forces of President Salva Kiir.
More than 180,000 people have been displaced in the conflict. At least 1,000 people have been killed since the conflict began on 15 December.
More than 180,000 people have been displaced.
Aid workers say many of them are living without shelter, clean water or sanitation.Aid workers say many of them are living without shelter, clean water or sanitation.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead, in the South Sudan capital, Juba, says both sides think they have the upper hand and, with their positions so far apart, something dramatic must change for a speedy agreement to come out of the talks in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopia talks were earlier delayed, dampening hopes of a quick end to the fighting. But it later emerged that direct talks would take place.
He says the rebel side has a long list that needs to be discussed before a ceasefire is reached - the truce is at the bottom of the list. In a tweet on Saturday evening, the Ethiopian foreign ministry quoted the special envoy to South Sudan as saying "both the government & opposition of South Sudan have committed to resolve their political differences through political dialogue".
South Sudan's Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC that the rebels would have to acknowledge that they had instigated a coup attempt. He said that the government's compromise was to have agreed to the talks. One report suggests that substantive negotiations will begin Sunday.
Mr Machar, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, said his forces would hold back from attacking Juba in order to try to reach a negotiated settlement. They will focus on the immediate ending of violence and the fate of political detainees.
No timeline has been set, but mediators have asked the warring parties to find quick solutions.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead in the South Sudan capital, Juba, says both sides think they have the upper hand and, with their positions so far apart, something dramatic must change for a speedy agreement to come out of the talks.
Obstacles to talks
South Sudan's Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC that the rebels would have to acknowledge that they had instigated a coup attempt. He said the government's compromise was to have agreed to the talks.
Nhial Deng Nhial, head of the government negotiating team, pledged to "leave no stone unturned in the search for a peaceful resolution", according to AFP news agency.
But he warned it "must be abundantly clear" the government has "an obligation to restore peace and security of the country through all means available".
Rebel delegation chief Taban Deng told AFP he was committed to talks, but demanded the release of several top political leaders from the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), accused of involvement in the violence.
Mr Machar, in an interview with the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper, said his forces would hold back from attacking Juba to try to reach a negotiated settlement.
"I'm being restrained by the international community and the talks, which I hope will yield some fruits," he said."I'm being restrained by the international community and the talks, which I hope will yield some fruits," he said.
However, there are reports of heavy fighting continuing on the outskirts of the rebel-held city of Bor, in Jonglei state. However, there were reports of heavy fighting continuing on the outskirts of the rebel-held city of Bor, in Jonglei state.
Our correspondents says there are well-trained and well-armed units there and both sides may be trying to put themselves in the strongest military position possible as the talks in Ethiopia take place. Our correspondent says there are well-armed units there and both sides may be trying to put themselves in the strongest military position possible as the talks take place.
The government said its troops were attempting to recapture both Bor and the city of Bentiu, in the northern state of Unity.The government said its troops were attempting to recapture both Bor and the city of Bentiu, in the northern state of Unity.
Government spokesman Col Philip Aguer said: "We will take Bor within 24 hours," adding: "There is no threat to Juba."Government spokesman Col Philip Aguer said: "We will take Bor within 24 hours," adding: "There is no threat to Juba."
An official connected to the rebels told the Sudan Tribune that Col Aguer's comments were "propaganda". An official connected to the rebels told the Sudan Tribune news website that Col Aguer's comments were "propaganda".
Ethnic divisionsEthnic divisions
Delegates from both sides began arriving in the Ethiopian capital on Wednesday but talks were delayed until the full negotiating teams had arrived.Delegates from both sides began arriving in the Ethiopian capital on Wednesday but talks were delayed until the full negotiating teams had arrived.
The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in Addis Ababa says the rival teams were in the same hotel but on Friday had only held talks with mediators, who were preparing the ground for direct negotiations. Until now, talks have been taking place only through mediators.
The Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs said face-to-face talks would follow.
"We just finished the first round of proxy talks with both negotiating teams of #SouthSudan. Will proceed to direct talks tomorrow," Mr Adhanom said on Twitter on Friday.
However, our correspondent in Addis Ababa says it has been confirmed that no direct talks will take place on Saturday.
But he says the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) did suggest they would start "soon".
Igad executive secretary Mahboub Maalim told the BBC the talks so far had been about setting an agenda - and that one item agreed for the agenda was a cessation of violence,
South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict.South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict.
The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011.The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011.
Politicians' political bases are often ethnic. President Kiir is from the Dinka community while Mr Machar is a Nuer.Politicians' political bases are often ethnic. President Kiir is from the Dinka community while Mr Machar is a Nuer.