Addis Ababa, January 23, 2014 (SSNA) — The government of South Sudan and rebels have on Thursday signed “cessation of hostilities” accord in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The deal requires the two warring factions to stop the ongoing fighting. The agreement is expected to take effect in 24 hours.
The deal also calls for withdrawal of all foreign troops who are currently participating in the conflict.
Taban Deng Gai, head of the rebels’ team said he hopes the agreement will create peace in South Sudan.
"These two agreements are the ingredients to create an environment for achieving a total peace in my country", Gai told AFP.
However, IGAD’s Chief Mediator Seyoum Mesfin warned that the implementation process could be a challenge.
“I believe that the postwar challenges will be greater than the war itself. The process will be … unpredictable and delicate”, Mesfin said.
Peace talks will resume on the 7th of February 2014, the South Sudan News Agency has learned.