By The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and the leader of rebels fighting his government,Riek Machar have agreed to end the fighting that started on Dec. 15, 2013.
The fighting has led to over 1.5 people to flee their homes into internally displaced peoples camp and over 10.000 killed during the fighting. Peace talks are being brokered by IGAD.
Speaking to reporters in Juba, South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the two rivals have agreed to end the war by peaceful means.
Marial said that Kiir and Riek were in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attending the 28th IGAD Summit focused on South Sudan’s crisis.
“The Summit was attended by all the presidents of seven IGAD countries. There was of course the prime minister of Ethiopia, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Somalia, President of Djoubti, President of Sudan Omer Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan. Also present was Dr. Riek Machar representing his rebel moment,” in the statement.
“The Head of States insisted that there must be a way forward to resolve the conflict in South Sudan,” said Marial.
He added that there was a general meeting in which all the Heads of States participated and expressed their concern for the people of South Sudan who have suffered for so long.
President Kiir reportedly reasserted his commitment to see that peace comes to South Sudan.
“Equally, the rebel leader Riek Machar, was asked to make his comment and to express his wish and commitment to seeing that fighting stops in South Sudan,” said Marial.“The former detainees were also allowed to express a statement and they also committed themselves to peace statement in which they also committed themselves.”
Marial ended with a statement about Kiir remaining in his position.“President Kiir will remain the executive president to lead the next transitional period until the elections are conducted according to the terms of the peace agreement that will be concluded,” he said.