South Sudan’s President Declines To Sign Proposed Peace Deal
African News, Latest Headlines Monday, August 17th, 2015
South Sudan President Salva Kiir declined to sign a peace deal proposed by regional leaders on Monday, saying he required more time, the mediator of the crisis said.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into chaos in December 2013 when a political row between Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar spiralled into armed conflict that reopened ethnic faultlines.
Seyoum Mesfin, the mediator for IGAD, the East African bloc leading the talks, said Kiir’s side required two weeks before signing the peace deal that was accepted by the South Sudanese rebels.
“In the next 15 days, the government will come back to Addis Ababa to finalise the peace agreement,” Seyoum said. No one from the government was immediately available to comment.
The U.S. State Department said it deeply regretted the government decision, urged it to sign within 15 days and renewed a threat to raise pressure on those opposing the peace proposal.
Reuters
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