South Sudan plunged into warfare two years after independence from Sudan in 2011 when a political dispute between Kiir and then vice-president Riek Machar erupted into armed confrontation. A previous peace deal signed in 2015 fell apart a year later after clashes broke out between government forces and rebels. The stability of South Sudan is also important for Sudan and other neighbouring countries, who fear a new flare up of the conflict could flood them with refugees. The secession of South Sudan also hit Khartoum's economy hard, taking with it most of the region's oil reserves. The United States, Britain and Norway, known as the Troika which back peace efforts, welcomed the signing of the deal.

Source: Ethiopian News September 12, 2018 21:33 UTC