South Sudan
South Sudanese rival leaders signed a peace agreement in Khartoum on Wednesday under which a ceasefire would take hold after 72 hours, Sudan’s foreign minister said, although a rebel spokesman rejected other points.
The minister, Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, said the agreement also included the opening of crossings for humanitarian aid, the freeing of prisoners and the formation of a provisional government after four months.
The two leaders met on Monday for talks to end a civil war that broke out in 2013, less than two years after the country gained independence from Sudan.
In another round of talks in Addis Ababa last week, South Sudan offered to allow a rebel representative to join its government on Friday, but ruled out Machar himself.
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir convened this week’s talks in Khartoum, which began on Monday. Sudan has struggled economically since the oil-rich south seceded, and is facing its worst budget crisis for years.
The war that broke out in 2013, less than two years after oil-rich South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, has killed tens of thousands and forced millions from their homes.
01:55
UN peacekeepers step up patrols after deadly clashes in South Sudan
01:00
The UN Appoints New Emissaries from Guinea and South Africa
01:15
South Sudan: NSF Rebel Group Agrees To A Ceasefire With Government
01:00
Sudan's transitional authorities and rebel alliance sign peace deal
00:50
Sudan: Govt, Rebel Groups, Agree on Historic Peace Deal
00:42
Sudan: Peace Talk Pre-Signing After Years of Unrest