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S. Sudan rebels say Juba forces attacked their posts shortly after peace deal

Xinhua, August 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Sudan's major rebel group on Tuesday accused government forces of attacking their posts at Imatong mountains shortly after reaching a peace deal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"The government's army attacked our posts at Imatong mountains just hours after signing the peace document in Addis Ababa," rebel chief Riek Machar said in a statement.

He added that the move was an implicit confirmation that Juba has opted for war over peace.

Machar and Pagan Amum, secretary general of the ruling party, signed a peace deal on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, whereas President Salva Kiir refused to sign.

According to Seyoum Mesfin, chief mediator of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development in Africa (IGAD), President Kiir asked for a two-week extension.

South Sudan's government and rebels recently resumed peace talks in Addis Ababa after mediators availed them until Aug. 17 to sign a peace deal ending the violent clashes in the newly-born state.

Despite countless rounds of talks under IGAD's auspices, the two South Sudanese rivals failed to work out a peace deal.

South Sudan plummeted into violence in December 2013 as fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Kiir and defectors led by his former deputy Machar. Endit