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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The world’s newest country faces sanctions if agreement is not reached by Saturday.

The logjams outnumber the breakthroughs in South Sudan’s short and troubled history.

The death toll from six years of civil war approaches 400 000.

Sticking point now is dividing the country between President Salva Kiir’s Dinka and the Nuer of rebel leader and former deputy president Riek Machar.

Kiir has made concessions, reducing his proposed 32 states to 10.

Machar says Kiir is still trying to grab the lion’s share by setting up special administrative areas to govern the oil-rich portions that could ensure prosperity for the country once peace is achieved.

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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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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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The move’s been welcomed by Britain, the United States and Norway who’ve been pressing the players to make this deal. 

The inking in Addis Ababa of a South Sudanese peace deal has the citizens of that country and its neighbours holding thumbs.

Three years ago, when they last signed an accord,  it fell apart within weeks.

This time the key actors, President Salva Kiir and rebel-leader-turned-vice-president Riek Machar, have been warned  by the members of the regional group IGAD and concerned Western powers, known as the troika,  that anyone breaking the peace will face tough sanctions. 

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She tell a media briefing President Cyril Ramaphosa will be briefed on exactly how this was achieved when he visits Addis Ababa later this month.

Peace efforts in the Horn of Africa are driving the continental agenda in the right direction, says Lindiwe Sisulu.

 ‘In Africa, we are determined to silence the guns by 2020 so the people can have peace and development,” she says.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation says South Africa’s also heartened by the intervention of the regional body IGAD in South Sudan which has led to a peace deal being signed between President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.

She hopes that peace will endure

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