World welcomes South Sudan ceasefire deal

Friday January 24 2014

From right: South Sudan's head of the rebel delegation Taban Deng Gai, Igad envoy Seyoum Mesfin, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom, Member of the ruling SPLM Nhial Deng Nhial, and chief mediator and former Kenyan general Lazaro Sumbeiywo, sign a ceasefire agreement on January 23, 2014 in Addis Ababa. AFP PHOTO / STR

In Summary

AU Commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said she commended the negotiating parties for the "spirit of compromise and mutual accommodation they demonstrated".
US also welcomed the signing, saying it represents "a critical first step toward building a lasting peace" in the ravaged country.
EU Foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement "This agreement must now be turned to reality and the parties must move immediately to implement in good faith."

By Agencies