JUBA SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 (CISA) – South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar has once more accused government forces for repeatedly breaking a ceasefire and putting at risk a peace deal just days after it was reached.
“There is danger that is looming that could wreck this peace agreement now,” Machar told Reuters.
The former Vice President also accused the government forces of attacking rebel positions saying: “We believe that this is an act that is a serious violation to the ceasefire because what it does is provoke our troops that are in control of these areas.”
President Salva Kiir signed the peace deal August 23, but he told regional African leaders at the ceremony that he still had “serious reservations” and accused rebels of attacking his forces.
The UN Security Council has warned both sides that it could impose sanctions if the deal collapses.
Machar is expected to become first vice president during a three-year transitional period envisaged by the peace deal that aims to end 20 months of conflict in the world’s newest nation.
The conflict erupted in December 2013 after a power struggle between the two leaders.
According to the UN, thousands of people have been killed and more than 2.2 million driven from their homes, many fleeing to neighboring countries.
