Addis Ababa, 9 February 2020: The latest news coming from Addis Ababa indicating that the two archenemies President Kiir and his first vice president designated Dr. Riek were one step close to striking a deal over the outstanding issues of the number of the states and their internal boundaries. 

The source who has full knowledge about leaders' closed-door this afternoon revealed to SSLN, that there was an unexpected change of heart from Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. 

The source revealed that both Museveni and Sudanese Premier Minister Hamdok, have agreed to the ten [10] states, both Museveni and Hamdok are guarantors to the Revitalized Peace Agreement. 

According to the source who spoke to this reporter in the condition of anonymity because of the sensibility of the matter said, President Museveni of Uganda, Premier Minister Hamdok of Sudan and Dr. Machar have unanimously agreed for ten states, this according to the source left Mr. Kiir on odd side, prompting  [Kiir] to agree with the trio in principle that he may need half an hour to consult with his team who were outside the meeting room. 

The source further said Mr. Kiir was accorded the time he asked for only to come back after half an hour to say that his subordinates rejected the idea of going back to 10states. He said then, Kiir asked for three days for him to return to Juba to make wider consultation. 

The peace guarantors have granted for Mr. Kiir three days to make a consultation, he, however, said at this point the meeting was adjourned. Therefore, at this stage, it is not immediately clear as to when will the leaders return to Addis Ababa to finalize the talks to find a lasting solution to the outstanding issues.  

However, an unconfirmed source indicates that the leaders will return to Addis on 15 February 2020. 

The Sudanese Premier Minister Hamdok is expected to give a press conference this evening to divulge more details about the closed-door meeting between Kiir and Machar guided by both Museveni and Hamdok. 

SSLN