EU hopes South Sudan gov't moves forward in final peace deal with rebels

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday said it was looking forward to South Sudan's government making progress on signing a final peace agreement, after South Sudan's major rebel group signed a deal on Monday, which the South Sudanese government refused to sign.

"Yesterday, a partial agreement was signed in Addis Ababa marking a step closer in achieving a final peace agreement for South Sudan," said a statement written by spokespersons for EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica.

The statement said the EU continued to support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) -- whose persistent efforts were necessary to get to the peace deal stage -- and all other parties involved in achieving an immediate and full implementation of the ceasefire and unhindered access to South Sudan where people continue to suffer from a severe humanitarian crisis.

Under the IGAD's mediation, the partial agreement was signed by representatives of the SPLM/SPLA in Opposition and former detainees of South Sudan as well as by other stakeholders. The agreement hopes to end the more than 20 months' conflict in the world's youngest nation.

According to the regional block IGAD's mediators, South Sudan's government required two weeks before signing the peace deal that was accepted by the South Sudanese rebels. Endit