The government says IGAD heads of state and government will hold a summit in Juba on Thursday.

The forum is expected to encourage the signatories to the peace agreement to ‘declare officially and publicly’ to the people of South Sudan, and to members of the international community at large, that the war has officially come to an end.

According to a statement seen by Eye Radio, the summit will provide an opportunity for the IGAD leaders, Special Envoys and representatives, together with the leaders and the people of South Sudan, to launch the Peace Building Process.

“The IGAD leaders will also use the summit to reiterate their call on partners and members of the international community at large to mobilize resources for addressing the dire needs of the people, and for the implementation of the peace deal,” it said.

IGAD member states are: Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

The leader of the SPLM-IO Dr Riek Machar and representative of the Former Detainees, Pagan Amum, are expected to participate in the forum.

The summit will be hosted by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.