NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Regional African leaders say South Sudan's government has agreed to end hostilities.
East African leaders under a bloc called IGAD said in a statement Friday that they "welcomed the commitment by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to an immediate cessation of hostilities." The statement urged Riek Machar, the former deputy president who is accused of orchestrating a plot to overthrow President Salva Kiir, "to make similar commitments."
The statement said IGAD opposes a violent change of government in the world's newest country and urges Kiir and his rivals to start peace talks before the end of 2013.
East African leaders under a bloc called IGAD said in a statement Friday that they "welcomed the commitment by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to an immediate cessation of hostilities." The statement urged Riek Machar, the former deputy president who is accused of orchestrating a plot to overthrow President Salva Kiir, "to make similar commitments."
The statement said IGAD opposes a violent change of government in the world's newest country and urges Kiir and his rivals to start peace talks before the end of 2013.