President Salva Kiir Mayardit on behalf of government and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, SPLM/A in opposition leader met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday and signed a landmark agreement to immediately end conflict in South Sudan.
In a statement obtained by CRN the Agreement contains a commitment to an immediate Cessation of Hostilities within 24 hours of the signing and a rededication to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on January 23 2014 in Addis Ababa.
President Kiir and Dr Machar committed to freeze forces in current locations and refrain from any provocative action or combat movement until a permanent ceasefire is agreed.
They further committed to unconditionally cooperate with the full operationalization of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all populations affected by the conflict.
The leaders agreed to work together to move the country forward by establishing a transitional government of national unity through an all inclusive peace process that would include the two parties and SPLM leaders formerly detained in Juba for alleged coup masterminding and executing.
The statement reflected that other political parties, civil society and faith-based leaders would participate in the peace process.
The transitional government of national unity would oversee government functions during a transitional period; implement critical reforms and oversee a permanent constitutional process to guide the country to elections.
Terms of the transitional government would be negotiated through the IGAD peace mediation process.
The two leaders would be holding a follow up meeting in one month under the auspices of IGAD.