South Sudan foes agree ‘permanent’ ceasefire

KHARTOUM: South Sudan President Salva Kiir and arch-foe Riek Machar agreed yesterday to a “permanent” ceasefire to take effect within 72 hours, raising hopes of a deal to end their country’s devastating war, reports AFP.

“All parties have agreed on a permanent ceasefire within 72 hours of signing the Khartoum Document,” Sudan’s Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry Ahmed announced following talks in the Sudanese capital.

Kiir and Machar then signed the document in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

“This day was expected by our people in South Sudan and it has now come,” Kiir said after the signing of the agreement.

Machar said the ceasefire must finally lead to the “ending of the war”. The latest push for peace in South Sudan comes as part of a fresh bid launched by East African leaders and with the two factions facing a looming deadline to avert UN sanctions. Several previous ceasefire agreements have been violated.

 

South Sudan foes agree permanent ceasefire

KHARTOUM: South Sudan President Salva Kiir and arch-foe Riek Machar agreed yesterday to a permanent ceasefire to take effect within 72 hours, raising hopes of a deal to end their countrys devastating war, reports AFP. All parties have agreed on a permanent ceasefire within 72 hours of signing the Khartoum Document, Sudans Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry Ahmed announced following talks in the Sudanese capital. Kiir and Machar then signed the document in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. This day was expected by our people in South Sudan and it has now come, Kiir said after the signing of the agreement. Machar said the ceasefire must finally lead to the ending of the war. The latest push for peace in South Sudan comes as part of a fresh bid launched by East African leaders and with the two factions facing a looming deadline to avert UN sanctions. Several previous ceasefire agreements have been violated.