South Sudan: Government and rebels sign ceasefire agreement
South Sudan’s government and rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM in Opposition) on Thursday signed a ceasefire agreement in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to end over a month-old fighting in the world’s youngest nation.
Fighting between President Salva Kiir government Army and forces loyal to former vice-president, Riek Machar, broke out in mid-December following what Kiir alleged was a coup attempt staged by his former deputy, an allegation the latter denies.
The agreement on cessation of hostilities reached Thursday comes after South Sudan’s government agreed to release the 11 pro-Machar political figures who remain detained in accusation of links to the failed coup attempt last month.