S.Sudan Rivals Agree to Meet Deadline  01/17 06:25

   JUBA, South Sudan (AP) -- South Sudan's rival leaders have agreed to form a 
coalition government by the February deadline, a South African special envoy 
says.

   South Sudan President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar in their 
latest talks this week also agreed that key outstanding issues under the 
country's 2018 peace deal would be arbitrated within 90 days of the new 
government's formation, South African Deputy President David Mabuza said 
Thursday.

   The United States and others have pressured South Sudan's rival leaders to 
meet the Feb. 22 deadline after they failed to meet one in November. The 
country's five-year civil war that erupted just two years after South Sudan won 
independence from Sudan killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced millions.

   Key issues that remain include the number of states South Sudan should have. 
Mabuza said that question will be submitted to other signatories of the peace 
deal.

   Certain security issues are also outstanding but there is progress, Mabuza 
said. Military generals from neighboring Uganda and Sudan are leading the 
process of training and screening the national army as it combines with 
thousands of formerly armed opposition members.

   "Yes, we have not covered everything that should be covered, but there is 
commitment things are going to come right," Mabuza said.

   Five special envoys from Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and the East 
African regional body were part of the meetings.


(KR)