World
South Sudan Leader Salva Kiir Snubs Peace Deal
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, left, accompanied by army chief of staff Paul Malong Awan, right, waves during an independence day ceremony in the capital Juba, South Sudan, Thursday, July 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Jason Patinkin)
(BBC) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has failed to sign a peace deal in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, aimed at ending the civil war in his country.
The government has initialled a draft agreement, but requested a further 15 days before signing in full.
International sanctions had been threatened by mediators if both sides failed to reach an agreement on Monday.
Tens of thousands have died and more than two million have been displaced since fighting broke out in 2013.
Rebel leader Riek Machar, who did sign the deal, said he had expected more concessions from Mr Kiir, and did not know beforehand that the South Sudanese president would fail to sign it.
