Juba: Peace Deal Signing Ceremony Witnesses Strong Int'l, Regional Presence

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, witnessed earlier Saturday the signing of a peace deal between the Sudanese government and several rebel groups.

This deal aims to resolve decades of conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Southern Blue Nile that have led to the displacement of millions and hundreds of thousands of deaths.

The signing ceremony at Freedom Square in Juba was attended by the presidents of Chad, Djibouti, and Somalia, along with the prime ministers of Egypt and Ethiopia, UAE Minister of Energy, U.S. special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and representatives of a number of Western countries.

Among the armed groups that signed Juba peace agreement are the Sudan Liberation Army, the Arko Minawi wing, the Justice and Equality Movement, and the Popular Movement, Malik Aqar's wing, in addition to other factions.

The peace deal hosted by Juba would end long years of wars in Darfur, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile, which left thousands of victims and about 3 million refugees and displaced persons inside and outside the country.

By inking such a peace deal, it is expected that the country will witness a new phase represented in consolidating a just and comprehensive peace in conflict areas and the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes.

It is worth mentioning that, the peace agreement provides for the dismantling of rebel forces and the integration of their fighters into the national army.

Earlier, South Sudan Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak thanked Britain, Norway, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, international and regional organizations, and inpiduals for making the peace deal come to fruition.