South Sudan cease fire agreement starts Saturday

Khartoum-The South Sudan Defense Minister Kwal Meyang has said that his forces have received orders from President Salva Kiir Mayardit to cease hostilities as of Saturday night. He warned against consequences of violating the truce.

Speaking to the Citizens by phone, Major-General Meyang said that” the cease fire agreement has actually come into force on the eve of Saturday. We will not hesitate to react to any violation by any party” He pledged to go ahead with the peace, urging the rebel forces led by Machar to work on transferring the agreement into reality.

He added” all parties should comply with the agreement so that the civilians are able to return to their home villages. He pointed out that the next step represents in solving the reasons of the current dispute through the negotiation forum in Addis Ababa. He admitted that any military escalation in the South will negatively affect the security of the region.

The two parties to the dispute in the South Sudan have signed a peace agreement after a five-month rebellion led by Machar. The agreement stipulates immediate cease fire, formulation of a transitional government before drafting a new constitution and conducing new elections.

In the meantime, the Sudanese government has welcomed the agreement between the foes in South Sudan. The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry ambassador Abu-Bakr Al-sideq hoped that the agreement will lead to realization of a comprehensives peace agreement in South Sudan. He added that Sudan has been calling for cessation of fighting and solving the disputes peacefully since day one.