South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar on Wednesday returned to the country’s capital, Juba. That is his first time returning to the country after fleeing into exile in 2016.
Mr Machar clashed with President Salva Kiir sparking a civil war that has killed hundreds of people and displaced millions.
Machar and President Salva Kiir signed a peace deal in August which was to ensure his peaceful return.
The new deal is to provide for five vice presidents for South Sudan and protect a power sharing arrangement.
Per the deal former Vice-President Machar is expected to return to his former position. The transitional government would govern for three years.
The most recent deal was signed in 2015 but it did not help to end the conflict. South Sudan gained independence in 2011 from north Sudan but fighting broke out two years later.
Mr Machar who was received at the airport at Juba will be attending the country’s Peace Day celebrations.
The World Food Programme says the peace deal in South Sudan is not holding as violence continues to block food aid to millions.
Millions who have been displaced by the civil war in the country are starving of food requiring urgent assistance.
The WFP says it is unable to deliver food aid needed to deal with severe hunger in some areas, because of violence.
Source: Africafeeds.com
