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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A U.N. diplomat says South Sudan’s warring factions have been given more time by the Security Council and the African Union to finalize a peace deal before possible sanctions.
Ismael Abraoo Gaspar Martin, Angola’s ambassador to the U.N. and chairman of talks held Thursday, says they made the decision because it takes time to create cohesion.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar had been given a March 5 deadline to finalize issues including power sharing, but mediators extended the talks for a day in hopes the rivals could reach an agreement. It wasn’t immediately clear how much more time they have been given.
The U.N. Security Council last week unanimously approved the creation of a system to impose sanctions on those blocking peace in South Sudan.
