South Sudan rebels rejected on Sunday a peace offer by President Salva Kiir to return to a system of 10 states, paving the way for a unity government.
The rejection by rebel chief Riek Machar dashes hopes of breaking a deadlock and ending a six-year conflict that has left at least 380,000 people dead and millions in dire poverty.
Read: South Sudan rivals hold rare meeting as peace deal stalls
Kiir and Machar -- who lives in exile -- are under increasing international pressure to resolve their differences by a February 22 deadline.
Kiir on Saturday said the country would now be divided among the original 10 states -- a key opposition demand -- plus three "administrative areas" of Pibor, Ruweng and Abyei.
But rebel leader Riek Machar said Sunday he objected to the three administrative areas.
Read: ‘Think about your people’ UN’s Guterres tells South Sudan rivals
It "cannot be referred to as reverting to 10 states (and) as such cannot be accepted," Machar wrote in a statement.
"We therefore call upon President Kiir to reconsider this idea of creating administrative areas," he added.
Machar warned the three areas risked causing further problems, calling the issue a "Pandora's box".
The number of states is contentious because the borders will determine the divisions of power in the country.
When it gained independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan had 10 states, as set out in its constitution.
Kiir increased that in 2015 to 28, then 32 -- and has now reduced them back to 10, plus the three areas.
He issued an order late Saturday relieving all governors of the 32 states of their posts.
He has said the final matter of states would be debated once the unity government forms.
Of the three areas, the most contentious is thought to be oil-rich Ruweng, in the north.
Oil provides almost all of the government's revenue in South Sudan, making it one of the world's most oil dependent nations.
Ruweng has been one of the most heavily fought over areas in the civil war and is claimed by both the Dinka people of Kiir and the Nuer of Machar.
-
‘Think about your people’ UN’s Guterres tells South Sudan rivals
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said it was “unacceptable” South Sudan’s warring parties had yet to make peace as ... World News -
US appoints special envoy for South Sudan crisis
The United States on Friday named a special envoy to seek progress in the crisis in South Sudan, whose rival leaders have repeatedly missed deadlines ... World News -
South Sudan president, ex-rebel leader agree to form a unity government: President Kiir
South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir said he and the country’s main former rebel leader reached a deal on Tuesday to form a long-delayed ... World News