But observers’ are holding thumbs that this initiative will bring peace after several failed efforts in the world’s youngest country.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir used encouraging words like irreversible to describe the power-sharing deal his done with Riek Machar.

And the rebel leader promised that his compatriots’ suffering was over.

Recalling how the previous peace five year ago broke down with Machar fleeing the country dampens expectations.

Observers say there are still many loose ends on security arrangements.

With 400 000 people killed in seven years of civil war, settling scores could drive South Sudan back into the conflict that has displaced millions.

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Their 11th-hour gesture came on the international deadline set with sanctions threatening.

So many peace efforts have foundered before they could end the bitter seven-year civil war in South Sudan.

Both President Salva Kiir and Rebel Leader Riek Machar were determined to announced that that this tenuous process would succeed.

At the swearing in ceremony in the capital Juba, Kiir described Machar as his brother and called him his partner in a peace government.

Machar promised he and Kiir will work collectively to end South Sudan’s long suffering.

Three other vice presidents were sworn in- none of them as important as Machar.

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There’s some skepticism about whether the pact will hold after a succession of failed deals.

In terms of the agreement struck in Juba, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir will make rebel leader Riek Machar his first deputy president and provide protection for him and his staff.

The power-sharing government will be the culmination of a process following the signing of a peace deal in September 2018 to end the seven year civil war that has cost 400 000 lives and created the worst refugee crisis in Africa.

The encouraging news is offset by a United Nations Commission for Human Rights report charging Kiir with pillaging national finances and allowing deadly attacks on his foes by militia. 

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African religious leader meeting in Nairobi have urged regional government to ensure the South Sudanese implement the peace deal signed a year ago.

Riek Machar has gone home for the first time since last October and reached an agreement with President Salva Kiir on ending  the bitter civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced a third of the population in Africa’s newest country. 

As the two leaders were shaking hands in Juba, religious groups urged neighboring government to maintain pressure on the South Sudan parties to make good on the latest of their undertakings.

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The regional authority IGAD insists President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar remain committed to a lasting peace.

The delay in forming a unity government in South Sudan  is ascribed to lack of political will, financial shortages and time constraints.

Meeting in Addis Ababa, the Intergovernmental Agency on Development, points out that only 27 of the 59 essential tasks before formation of a unity government  have been completed.

The regional body says it’s confident the process will continue, ending the civil war that has torn South Sudan since 2013 with a death toll approaching 400 000 and two million people driven from their homes – the largest displacement on the planet.

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Former deputy president turned rebel leader Riek Machar and other opposition figures say the process must be delayed by at least months.

IGAD’s special envoy on South Sudan Imail Wais has summoned the groupings leaders to discuss implementing last September’s peace deal designed to end the civil war that has cost more than 400 000 lives.

The opposition groups have baulked at the proposed cantonment of armed grouping and redeploying them in a neutral security force, arguing that this cannot be done until parties have agreed and signed a power-sharing deal.

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Pope Francis has kissed the feet of South Sudan’s leaders appealing to them as brothers to keep the peace.

South Sudan has been at conflict almost since splitting from Sudan which ended Africa’s longest running civil war.

A peace signed between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar last September could end this.

On the other hand it could fail as many previous deals have.

Pope Francis has literally gone his knees urging the men in Juba to settle their differences – and deal with the complications posed by a coup among compatriots-turned-neighbours

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The period of preaching, prayer and contemplation is designed to bolster the flagging peace deal signed last February in Africa’s youngest country.

The retreat is led by Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Salva Kiir and Riek Machar are joined by three vice president and South Sudanese church leaders.

The International Crisis Group warns that the peace deal inked in February is faltering.

In terms of it, Kiir and Machar are due to  enter a unity government tomorrow.

Since splitting from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has been torn by conflict that’s cost 

400 000 lives and uprooted a third of the 12-million population.

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Former South African National  Defense Force Colonel William Endley will be deported to South Africa when he’s released later today.

ends

William Endley was sentenced to death in South Sudan last February for espionage and conspiring to overthrow the government of President Salva Kiir.

Endley was a military adviser to rebel leader Riek Machar who will once again become Kiir’s vice president in terms of the peace agreement celebrated in South Sudan yesterday.

Expressing her gratitude for the release, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu urges all South Africa working abroad to respect the laws of their host countries.

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He was speaking at a peace ceremony in the capital Juba attended by the returned rebel leader Riek Machar who’s been restored a vice president.

President Salva Kiir says he’s apologizing on behalf of the warring parties in South Sudan.

He commends the courage shown by the people  through their physical, psychological and emotional suffering.

At least 400 000 people have died in the fighting that began soon after South Sudan broke with Sudan to become the world’s youngest country.

Four million people have been displaced by the conflict and are at risk of starving to death.

Two previous peace deals have broken down in South Sudan.

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