South Sudan Government and Rebel army signed a peace deal

The South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel army leader Riek Machar on 9 May 2014 signed a peace deal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The deal calls for immediate peace and end of the ongoing conflict in Jonglei state between the two parties. The deal also calls for the formation of a transitional government ahead of the drafting of a new constitution and new elections.

The general principles agreed by the parties were that will be in line with the constitution of South Sudan includes
• Creation of joint military technical committee,
• Establishment of Greater Pibor administrative areas
• Funds for Greater Pibor areas

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn hosted the talks and he also signed the deal. Bishop Paride Taban is the chief mediator of the peace process between the government and rebels.

Background
The violence began when President Kiir accused the sacked Vice President, Machar, of plotting a coup. Machar denied the allegation, but then marshalled a rebel army named South Sudan Democrativ Movement/ Army (SSDM) Cobra faction to fight the government.

In the new independent South Sudan, the conflict in Jonglei state left thousands dead and nearly five million people in need of aids according to the UN estimation. The United Nations (UN) has accused both the South Sudanese government and the rebels of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and gang-rape.

The UN report released on 8 May 2014 revealed that widespread and systematic atrocities has been carried out by the both parties in different public places like homes, hospitals, mosques, churches and UN compounds.

In January 2014, a cessation of hostilities deal was signed by both sides but failed to bring an end to the violence.

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