The US has hailed the peace deal between South Sudan’s president and rebel chief, noting that the agreement could bring an end to the nearly five-month-old civil war that has claimed thousands of lives and forced over 1.2 million people out of their homes.
“For five months, fighting in South Sudan has robbed that country of hope and denied its people the peace and prosperity they deserve,” National Security Adviser Susan Rice said.
“The agreement South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar signed today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, holds the promise of bringing the crisis to an end,” she said.
President Salva Kiir and rebel boss Riek Machar inked a deal “ending the war”, under international pressure to stem bloodshed and avert famine and genocide.
The two rivals agreed to end all fighting within 24 hours of signing the document.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, in a separate statement, said the agreement to immediately stop the fighting in South Sudan and to negotiate a transitional government could mark a breakthrough for the future of South Sudan.
The hard journey on a long road begins now and the work must continue, he added.
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