South Sudan Conflict - Govt and Rebel Leader Meet in Addis Ababa to Sign Peace Deal Monday Aug 17,2015

 

The two sides from the conflict in South Sudan are meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Monday Aug 17,2015,the day a deadline expires for them to sign a peace deal, or face sanctions. 

President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar held meetings through the night to address outstanding obstacles.

The leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are also at the summit, as part of an international peace-building effort which includes the US, UK, EU, Norway, China, the African Union and the UN.

Both President Salva Kiir and Rebel leader Riek Machar have said they need more time to resolve key issues, including what power sharing in a transitional government would look like.

Several previous ceasefire agreements have failed to hold. At least seven ceasefires agreed and broken since conflict started in December 2013

Tens of thousands have died and more than two million have been displaced since fighting broke out in 2013. Nearly one in five South Sudanese displaced by the current conflict, from a total population of 12 million

South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence from neighbouring Sudan four years ago and Former rebel leader Salva Kiir became president of South Sudan, the world's newest state, when it gained independence in 2011