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EU welcomes South Sudan president signing peace agreement

Xinhua, August 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed it's approval that South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit had signed a peace deal which aimed to end the violence in the new-founded country.

"President Kiir's commitment to engage in a political process to achieve a lasting peace is a crucial step," the bloc said in a statement.

The peace agreement offers "a new opportunity" for South Sudan to move towards a future of transparent government that places the interests of its citizens above all else, the statement said, adding, "If properly implemented, it will end the fighting and install the transitional institutions essential to the rebuilding of the country."

The EU also urged for a ceasefire in the conflict-torn country and called for "all obstacles to full and unhindered humanitarian access (to) be removed immediately."

The statement said the EU would continue to stand by the South Sudanese people during the transitional process and appealed to the political leaders of South Sudan to meet their responsibilities and end the suffering of its people.

Earlier in the day, President Kiir signed the peace agreement proposed by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development in Africa (IGAD).

Last week, Riek Machar, leader of South Sudan's major rebel group, signed the IGAD proposed peace deal with the Secretary General of the ruling party, Pagan Amum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but President Kiir refused to sign and demanded a two-week extension.

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

The conflict soon turned into an all-out war, killing thousands of South Sudanese and forced around 1.9 million individuals to flee their homes. Endit