South Sudan's Rebels Ready to Return to Capital Starting Tuesday

South Sudan’s main rebel movement said it’s prepared to return to the capital, Juba, starting from Tuesday as part of efforts at creating a transitional government to end almost two years of civil war.

An “advance team” of 550 people would be led by Taban Deng Gai, the chief negotiator for insurgents led by former Vice President Riek Machar, the rebels’ foreign relations chairman, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said Saturday in an e-mailed statement.

The announcement follows the Nov. 27 inauguration of a new regional body to oversee a power-sharing arrangement in the oil-producing country. Under that pact, Machar will return as President Salva Kiir’s deputy for a 30-month transition period leading to elections.

The United Nations says tens of thousands of people have been killed in South Sudan and over two million forced from their homes during fighting that resulted from a fracturing of the ruling party and army in December 2013.

The transitional government was supposed to be established last week, according to a peace deal signed in August. Clashes have continued even after several pledges to cease hostilities.

Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said rebels haven’t yet informed South Sudan’s government about their arrival.