00:00South Sudan's President Salva Ki has opened an inter-party dialogue in the capital Juba just days after dissolving the
00:08country's transitional unity government.
00:10The talks come as the government prepares for general elections scheduled for December 22, which would be the country's first
00:17national vote since independence in 2011.
00:20Ki says the dialogue should help political parties agree on a path towards peaceful and credible elections and has warned
00:28against using the process to delay or alter the electoral roadmap.
00:32But the process is facing opposition.
00:34Major opposition groups, including those linked to former First Vice President Rick Machar, have rejected the government's approach.
00:41Critics have questioned whether credible elections can be held in just three months amid concerns over security, political space and
00:50the absence of a permanent constitution.
