South Sudan govt, rebel groups sign peace deal to end civil war

South Sudan’s transitional government and rebel opposition groups signed a “commitment declaration” on Thursday (16 May), pledging to support efforts to end hostilities and promote inclusive growth in the conflict-torn country.
The peace deal, signed during high-level mediation talks in Kenya, is widely seen as a “first milestone”, according to Kenya’s foreign office, toward reaching lasting peace and stability in a country whose economy has long been crippled by the conflict between the two parties. The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced. By signing the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative, meaning “hope” in Swahili, South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity and opposition groups are committed to addressing the deep-rooted divisions and conflicts in the the landlocked country of about 11 million people to achieve lasting peace.
“I am pleased that all opposition groups have agreed to engage with the government of South Sudan to address the issues that have led to internal conflicts since 2013,” said the chief mediator, General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, who emphasized the importance of embracing a spirit of compromise. Sumbeiywo also urged all parties involved to take a give-and-take approach, emphasizing the importance of resolving the long-standing issues that have plagued South Sudan since its independence in 2011. “It is time to put an end to the violence that has ripped communities apart and caused tremendous suffering.” The security and political situation in South Sudan remains fragile months before the elections that are due to be held in December this year.