This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36140423
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar returns to Juba | South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar returns to Juba |
(35 minutes later) | |
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar has arrived in the capital, Juba, after a week-long delay that has threatened to scupper a peace deal. | South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar has arrived in the capital, Juba, after a week-long delay that has threatened to scupper a peace deal. |
He was sworn in as the first vice-president in a new unity government led by President Salva Kiir. | |
This is a key part of the deal aimed at ending more than two years of conflict that has killed tens of thousands and left two million people homeless. | This is a key part of the deal aimed at ending more than two years of conflict that has killed tens of thousands and left two million people homeless. |
Mr Machar fled Juba at the start of the conflict in December 2013. | Mr Machar fled Juba at the start of the conflict in December 2013. |
He had been accused of trying to organise a coup, which he denied - but it set off a round of tit-for-tat killings, which developed into a full-blown conflict. | He had been accused of trying to organise a coup, which he denied - but it set off a round of tit-for-tat killings, which developed into a full-blown conflict. |
Mr Machar, wearing a light-coloured shirt, was greeted by ministers and diplomats as he stepped out of his plane, the AFP news agency reports. | Mr Machar, wearing a light-coloured shirt, was greeted by ministers and diplomats as he stepped out of his plane, the AFP news agency reports. |
"We need to bring our people together so they can unite and heal the wounds," Mr Machar was quoted as saying. | "We need to bring our people together so they can unite and heal the wounds," Mr Machar was quoted as saying. |
He said his main priorities were to ensure a permanent ceasefire, to stabilise the economy and ensure humanitarian access throughout South Sudan. | |
The civil war broke out over tensions between Mr Kiir and Mr Machar, who was sacked as vice-president in July 2013. | The civil war broke out over tensions between Mr Kiir and Mr Machar, who was sacked as vice-president in July 2013. |
The BBC's James Copnall in Juba says once the government is formed, donors will start stumping up money - crucial as the economy is at rock bottom. | The BBC's James Copnall in Juba says once the government is formed, donors will start stumping up money - crucial as the economy is at rock bottom. |
However, it is not necessarily the end of the conflict as both sides have continued to clash despite a ceasefire signed in August, he says. | However, it is not necessarily the end of the conflict as both sides have continued to clash despite a ceasefire signed in August, he says. |
There are also rebel groups which have not signed the peace deal. | There are also rebel groups which have not signed the peace deal. |
South Sudan: The world's youngest country | South Sudan: The world's youngest country |