The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has welcomed an agreement on cessation of hostilities and improving humanitarian access in the war-torn country, urging all parties to work collectively to ensure lasting peace.
The South Sudanese government and rebel groups signed a ceasefire in Addis Ababa on Thursday, aimed at ending a four-year civil war and allow humanitarian groups access to civilians caught in the fighting.
“The Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access is an important first step in the revitalization of the peace process,” UNIMISS said in a press release.
“UNMISS is committed to supporting the peace process in line with its mandate through advancing reconciliation efforts, strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms, building national cohesion and engaging in regional and international peace initiatives,” it added.
South Sudan has been rid by war since December 2013, sparked by President Salva Kiir’s accusations that his then-deputy Riek Machar was plotting to overthrow his rule. Machar denied the allegations but then went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
The war has killed thousands and forced millions to flee their homes, prompting the government to rank South Sudan as Africa’s biggest refugee crisis.
UNMISS acknowledged the efforts of all actors involved in the Forum in reaching an agreement and thanked the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an eight-country trade bloc in Africa, for its leadership of the peace talks.
