The 45-days deadline set by IGAD mediators is enough for the warring parties to reach a peace agreement, the leader of the political parties’ delegation to the peace talks has said.

Dr Lam Akol told Eye Radio’s Dawn program that both parties now have to show commitment to resolve the crisis and bring peace to South Sudan.

“I’m very optimistic and I think the 45 days is too much and enough because if there was a seriousness in discussion the issues, it is not difficult to reach solutions,” said Dr Akol who leads SPLM-DC.

“I think that when negotiations begin again on September 13, we will begin with where we ended the discussions in those committees so we do not need all this time.”

Dr. Akol said the regional body, IGAD, is doing well in the mediation process.

He believes that the main challenge is that the government and the SPLM in Opposition are not convinced that a peace agreement is the only way to resolve the conflict.

“IGAD mediation has achieved many successes too,” he stated. “They are the first body that came to South Sudan when the war broke out in December last year, and they know a lot about the region more than other body and the African Union, which is the parent organization of the whole continent.”

Peace talks are scheduled to resume on the 14th of September in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.