South Sudan’s government will extend an olive branch to rival opposition groups to negotiate a consensus ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026, Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said.

Ateny made the remarks on Wednesday after a meeting with U.N. Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Graham Maitland at his office in Juba.

The opposition group is currently run in an acting capacity by Machar’s deputy, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, who lives in exile.

Political tensions and disputes between Kiir and Machar have slowed implementation of the peace agreement, which the international community warns risks collapse.

The security situation is deteriorating, with fighting reported in parts of the country, particularly in Jonglei and Upper Nile states, between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters.

Ateny, who also serves as government spokesman, said authorities are working to include and engage non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement so that, by the time elections are held, no fighting will occur anywhere in the country.

For his part, Maitland said the United Nations wants elections in South Sudan to be conducted peacefully and in an inclusive manner to conclude the political transition.