South Sudan peace talks hit roadblock

Peace talks aimed at ending six years of violence between government and rebel forces in South Sudan have reached an impasse.

President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar have been conducting closed-door meetings for the last two days in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

The men have been attempting to reach an agreement that would allow them to form a transitional government before the 100-day extension period expired.

However, as many suspected, those talks have now failed.

Of the issues discussed, the key sticking point was over the number of states within the country – the government want devolved power shared between 32 states, but the rebels seek a much narrower structure, with just 10.

Both sides have been under immense international pressure, with the African Union vehemently opposing any extension to the deadline, threatening sanctions against any side that obstructs the process.

Though there is still hope that President Kiir and Machar could sign an agreement before the summit officially ends on Monday, this appears increasingly unlikely.

Since 2013 South Sudan has been embroiled in a bloody civil war, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions more.

Photo: Getty Images