Both the government and rebel delegations are seeking an end to three weeks of conflict.

Direct talks on ending the conflict in South Sudan officially opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, yesterday, January 5, 2014, the BBC reported. The negotiations are focusing on securing a ceasefire and the release of political prisoners in the conflict that began on December 15, 2013 after a failed putsch.

The talks, led by teams representing the government of President Salva Kiir and former Deputy President and rebel leader, Dr Riek Machar, got underway in spite of earlier reports that they were postponed indefinitely. No time line has been set, but mediators have asked the opposing parties to find quick solutions.

South Sudan's Foreign Minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the rebels have to acknowledge that they instigated a coup attempt. He said the government's compromise was to have agreed to the talks. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, yesterday warned that the talks must not be "a delay gimmick in order to continue the fighting and seek advantage on the ground at the expense of the people of South Sudan."

Radio France Internationale, RFI said yesterday’s opening of formal talks followed three days of informal discussions under the supervision of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in East Africa, IGAD. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said there was shooting from the neighbourhood in the capital, Juba, where the Presidency, Parliament and major ministries are located.

But UN mission in the country said it did not receive any information of renewed fighting in the capital.