The warring parties have signed an agreement to re-activate the implementation of cessation of hostilities and identify areas for negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal.

The agreement was signed by President Salva Kiir and the leader of the SPLM-SPLA in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa early this morning.

The IGAD chief Mediator described this agreement as an important step that moves the peace process forward.

Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin says the international community will take what he calls tough action against the warring parties if any party violates the agreement.

“They are once again re-enforcing and re-dedicating themselves. But this time any of the parties that violates this commitment and the agreement of cessations of hostilities, IGAD leaders have pledged to take serious action.” said Mesfin.

Ambassador Mesfin says the talks at the principals’ level will resume on the 20^th of this month until the 5^th of next month as a lasting chance for the two warring parties.

“…they are pledging that resumption of the talks will be the final that will leave them into concluding a comprehensive peace agreement to end the crisis in South Sudan, and that agreement must be concluded between or not later than the Fifth of March 2015.” He said.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, and Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and representatives from the Troika countries and the African Union.