Representatives of the regional and international community are urging President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar to implement the agreement they signed last night to end the conflict in South Sudan.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who is the current Chairperson of IGAD, urged both leaders to honor the ceasefire agreement they have signed.

He warned that the region and the international community will not be mere by-standers to further killings in South Sudan.

“Make no mistake, the region and the international community will not sit idly by while killings go on. I say this again: Make no mistake, the region and the international community will not sit idly by while killings go on.” he said.

The African Union Peace and Security Commissioner, Ismael Chergui, admitted that bringing about lasting peace in South Sudan is a huge challenge to the region.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the AU, Haile Menkerios, assured the parties of the UN’s support to the process in South Sudan.

The signing of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the SPLM-SPLA in the Opposition was also witnessed by representatives of the Troilka: the US, Norway and UK.

Representatives of the European Union and other partners, also urged the parties to fully and speedily implement the agreement.

They pledged their continued support to South Sudan.