Norway has welcomed the coming of the SPLM-In Opposition advance team for implementation of the peace agreement.

The 150-member group, led by the opposition chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai, arrived in Juba last evening.

“This is a long-awaited and important step on the path to peace in South Sudan,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende in a statement.

“The return of the opposition to Juba could be a turning point for South Sudan. Work can now begin on establishing a transitional government of national unity. We are hopefully one step closer to ending this tragic conflict,” Brende said.

He added that he expects the parties to maintain this level of commitment in the time ahead, as they carry out the ‘challenging task of implementing the peace agreement’.