South Sudan MPs back peace deal

 South Sudan’s parliament has ratified a peace deal signed between rebels and the government.

The country’s National Legislative Assembly on Thursday rubberstamped the Aug. 17 pact agreed by rebel leader Riek Machar in Addis Ababa – although President Salva Kiir initially deferring signing.

However, Kiir later put his name to the deal amid immense international pressure.

The lower house met today and ratified the peace deal unanimously. According to sources close to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the rebels are meeting at the border town of Pagak to pass a similar decision.

During Thursday’s meeting, leader of the opposition SPLM for Democratic Change party, Onoti Edigo, appealed to the government to allow for the “inclusiveness” of the deal.

He told parliament that though the name of Lam Akol – the SPLM DC leader – is in the deal, the prominent political figure was left out.

“He should be part and parcel of the deal as a renowned personality in the politics of South Sudan,” said Edigo.

Implementation of the peace deal is widely hoped to end the 20-month war in South Sudan.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced due to fighting that erupted following a Dec. 15, 2013 fallout within the SPLM party when President Kiir accused his former vice president of plotting a coup.