Salva Kiir, South Sudan’s President, has declared a “unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities”, and ordered his government troops to “disengage” from fighting rival forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar, following days of violence that left hundreds dead.
Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny, announced on Monday by order which was reciprocated by Machar and his fraction of the forces, who ordered his troops to stop fighting as of 1700 GMT.
“The president talked to Machar…they have talked about controlling their forces in an attempt to salvage what has remained of the peace agreement,” Ateny said to press.
Monday witnessed some of the horrific fighting between the two sides, after clashes erupted on last Thursday.
The announcement of a ceasefire came as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called on the Security Council to impose an “immediate arms embargo” on the world’s youngest independent state.
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South Sudan's warring factions declare ceasefire https://t.co/GepAy0viGX
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 11, 2016