The delegation of the former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, says negotiations with the government delegation in Addis Ababa may reach a deadlock if the government persists in refusing to release the eleven political detainees.

IGAD mediators who met the detainees in Juba recently quoted them as saying the talks should proceed without pre-conditions.

But delegates for the rebels say they cannot sign a cessation of hostilities without securing the release of the prisoners, whom they say should participate in the talks.

However, the government insists, it will not release the detainees without following constitutional provisions on attempted coups.

The deputy spokesperson of Dr. Machar’s delegation, Mabior Garang, told journalists last night that the release of the political detainees has become a sticking point in the negotiations:

“I really doubt the sincerity of the government because I think they are using the issue of the detainees to stall the negotiations and achieve a military victory –which they will never achieve…it will be very costly for our people if they pursue this option,” said Mr Mabior.

“If they were serious about arresting the situation, they would not talk about issues of law and justice; they would put peace first, and then later they can pursue cases of criminality.

“But the fact that they want to put justice before peace is an indication that they are not serious about reaching a settlement.”

The spokesperson for the government delegation, Michael Makuei Lueth, said the issue of the detainees and a cessation of hostilities must be treated separately in the talks:

“We agreed to divide up the agenda into two; one is a cessation of hostilities, and we have started negotiations on hostilities. And thereafter we will go to the other point and that is the question of the detainees. This will be addressed after agreeing on the cessation of hostilities.”

Honorable Makuei said he is optimistic the two parties will soon sign an agreement on a cessation of hostilities.