December 24, 2014-According to the Sudan Tribune, South Sudanese vice president James Wani Igga has said that his government will not accept a ceremonial president even if the cost is more violence. On December 12, Riek Machar’s rebel opposition resolved in a consultative conference that the president should hold ceremonial powers while the prime minister would have executive powers in a transitional government.

Senior rebel officials has said that this new arrangement would make the office of vice president unnecessary.

Rebel leaders have accused President Kiir of “emasculating institutions” and reiterated their mistrust of the president to lead a new transitional government. Machar is quoted a s saying “The country has now become a police state characterized by disappearances and assassination of dissenting voices and emasculated institutions.”

“We will never, never give in to a ceremonial presidency, even if it means we box each other,” Machar added.

IGAD officials have warned both parties of inflicting punitive measures should an agreement not be signed at the end of the war.