The countdown to 100 days for South Sudan's anticipated Transitional Government of National Unity is set to start this Tuesday, with key focus being on the two main political protagonists—President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.

The two are expected to resolve a raft of issues that have, for yet another time, prevented the formation of the transitional government.

Top on the agenda is the issue of security for political leaders, establishment of a functioning barracks for soldiers, merger and training of the army from the splinter armed groups as well as addressing the contentious issue of the number of states in the country and their boundaries.

President Kiir and Dr Machar agreed at a Thursday meeting in Uganda to delay the planned Government of National Unity by three months from November 12, providing relief and hope that the violence that has plagued the country will subside.

Machar had asked for a six-month extension, but will now have to work within the compromise timeline.

"The meeting noted the incomplete critical tasks related to the security arrangements and governance, including the formation of the revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity," stated a communique released after the Uganda State House meeting in Entebbe.

Source(s): The East African