South Sudan: Kiir's actions could slow down push for peace

NAIROBI: The much anticipated peace deal between the warring factions in South Sudan's 20-month civil war failed to materialise on the last day of the deadline given by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad). The two factions had been given up to August 17, 2015 to sign the deal or face possible sanctions from the international community.

Though President Salva Kiir attended the meeting in Addis Ababa at which other regional heads of state were also in attendance on the final day, he showed his reluctance to ensuring lasting peace in the war-torn country by failing to append his signature to the deal. Instead, he asked for 15 more days to consider it. His contention was that the peace agreement was not comprehensive enough to preclude either party reneging on it the following day as has been the case in the past.