The Addis Ababa peace talks between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr Riek Machar hit a snag on Monday after Kiir refused to sign the proposed peace accord. The United Nation and other players facilitating the talks are not amused by the presidential snub. United Nations President Sam Kutesa says the organization is up to ensure the talks succeed He says the global body is closely monitoring the two weeks the government of South Sudan asked for to carry out consultations to ensure the progress made in months of talks does not go down the drain South Sudan's government has meanwhile slammed the peace proposal that they are under intense diplomatic pressure to sign. Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters, as President Salva Kiir returned home from the talks in Ethiopia that the government believes that the document cannot save the people of South Sudan Makuei labeled the document a sellout, which they cannot accept. With diplomatic frustrations at breaking point over a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives, the international community had threatened possible sanctions if a deal was not reached by the end of Monday, urging the government to sign it. Rebel chief Riek Machar signed the deal late Monday, calling on Kiir to join. But Kiir -- who watched the signing and briefly shook hands with Machar -- had warned from the start of talks that it would not be possible to sign a credible peace deal because rebel forces have split.

• published: 18 Aug 2015
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