South Sudan’s warring parties on Wednesday signed what they say is the final peace agreement to end the country’s five-year civil war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Several preliminary agreements have already been signed but both sides say this is the concluding version.
President Salva Kiir and head of the opposition, Riek Machar as well as the other opposition parties signed the “final final” deal in neighboring Ethiopia, government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told The Associated Press. He said the agreement is acceptable to all parties and noted that Kiir and Machar had an amicable chat after the signing.
The president was interacting very well with Riek Machar … he was talking to him in a very friendly way,” said Ateny.
The latest signing comes following weeks of negotiations in Khartoum, Sudan, on outstanding issues between the factions. While the government is optimistic about the new deal, many international observers remain skeptical.
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