Negotiations in Ethiopia to end the conflict in South Sudan hit an early snag on Thursday after delegation representing President Salva Kiir refused a proposal on a power-sharing deal with the camp of sacked vice-president Riek Machar, World Bulletin quoted sources familiar to the talks.

The two sides held a preparatory meeting on Thursday to set the agenda of the talks, but disagreements started to appear early as the two delegations failed to reach a common ground on the points to be discussed, the sources said.

The Kiir delegation had refused any power-sharing deal with Machar’s camp and accused him of being behind a failed coup attempt against a legitimate president, while Marchar’s representatives called for the formation of a coalition government as a means of ending the conflict.

South Sudan has been shaken by violence since mid-December, when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of standing behind a failed coup attempt. The conflict has escalated into a full blown civil war, kiling over 1,000 people and displacing about 200,000 others.

A subsequent government crackdown landed many of Machar’s supporters in jail, but the former VP managed to flee to Jonglei State, a stronghold of his Nuer tribe.

Although Machar had initially denied involvement in the alleged coup, his forces have reportedly captured parts of both the Jonglei and Unity states.

Negotiators representing the two sides arrived in Addis Ababa earlier this week for peace talks in-camera. Talks are mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

A source with the government delegation told World Bulletin that the talks are expected to officially start on Friday in the presence of international representatives, including ones from the US, China and Norway.