Peace deal "cannot save people of South Sudan": minister

South Sudan's government said Tuesday that the peace deal signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, cannot save the South Sudanese people, according to the Information Minister.

"We strongly believe that this document cannot save the people of South Sudan," South Sudan's Information Minister, Michael Makuei, told reporters in Juba Tuesday.

Makuei further described the document as "a sellout," reiterating that it would not be accepted.

He added that the government will consult with all constituents of South Sudan to arrive at a joint and comprehensive stance.

Riek Machar, leader of South Sudan's major rebel group, signed a peace deal Monday proposed by the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development in Africa (IGAD) with the Secretary General of the ruling party, Pagan Amum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

However, South Sudan's President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, refused to sign the deal.

According to Seyoum Mesfin, IGAD's chief mediator, president Kiir asked for a two-week extension.

Nevertheless, Machar's group Tuesday accused Juba's government forces of attacking their posts at Imatong Mountains shortly after signing the peace deal.

"The government's army attacked our posts at Imatong mountains only 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.

The South Sudanese government resumed peace talks with the rebels recently in Addis Ababa after mediators availed them until August 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 rivals failed to reach a peace agreement.

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