South Sudan’s government on Tuesday slammed a peace proposal they are now under intense diplomatic pressure to sign, after rebels agreed to the deal to end the country’s brutal civil war.
“We strongly believe that this document cannot save the people of South Sudan,” Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters, as President Salva Kiir returned home from peace talks in Ethiopia.
“It is a sellout, and we will not accept it,” the minister said, adding the government would now discuss the deal with the people for 15 days.
With diplomatic frustrations at breaking point over a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives, the international community had threatened possible sanctions if a deal was not reached by the end of Monday, urging the government to sign it.
Rebel chief Riek Machar signed the deal late on Monday, calling on Kiir to join.
