South Sudan rivals sign final power-sharing deal

President Salva Kiir and his rival RIek Machar have signed a power sharing deal in neighbouring Sudan, ending a civil war that has killed tens of thousands.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

05 August, 2018

Riek Machar shakes hands with President Salva Kiir

Machar (L) and Kiir (R) signed the deal in neighbouring Sudan [Getty]

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and and his bitter rival Riek Machar signed a final power-sharing deal on Sunday, ending a civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

The pair were in neighbouring Sudan to sign the deal, under which the rebel leader is set to return to a unity government as the first of five vice presidents, according to AFP.

The deal will see Kiir lead South Sudan's government with Machar as one of five vice presidents during a transitional period, according to Sudan's official SUNA news agency.

A similar arrangement had fallen apart in July 2016, when Machar was forced to flee the country after fighting erupted in the capital, Juba.

South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013, when supporters of President Kiir clashed with loyalists of his then-deputy Machar.

Over 2 million people have since fled the country in Africa's largest refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994, while millions of others have been left near famine.

Multiple cease-fires, including a "permanent" one signed by Kiir and Machar weeks ago, have been violated within hours. Meanwhile, both sides have been accused of abuses.

A UN report in July described how government troops and allied forces hung people from trees, burned others alive and raped or gang-raped dozens of women and girls.