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South Sudan's Salva Kiir and Riek Machar in peace deal deadline South Sudan leader Salva Kiir snubs peace deal
(about 4 hours later)
The two sides from the conflict in South Sudan are meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, on the day a deadline expires for them to sign a peace deal, or face sanctions. 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.
President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar held meetings through the night to address outstanding obstacles. The government has initialled a draft agreement, but requested a further 15 days before signing in full.
Several previous ceasefire agreements have failed to hold. 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.Tens of thousands have died and more than two million have been displaced since fighting broke out in 2013.
Rebel leader and former Vice-President Riek Machar did sign the deal.
President Kiir's team had "reservations" over the deal and wanted 15 days for "consultations" before returning to sign it, Seyoum Mesfin, mediator for the regional group Igad, told the media.
Mr Mesfin decribed it as "a great day in the forward movement of the peace process in South Sudan", despite noting that the signing of the deal was "not complete".
Grant Shapps, the UK's Minister for Africa, at the talks, said now was not the time to celebrate.
The contents of the deal are not yet clear, but there was disagreement about power-sharing in a transitional government.
Several previous ceasefire agreements have failed to hold.
South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence from neighbouring Sudan four years ago.South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence from neighbouring Sudan four years ago.
The leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are also at the summit, as part of an international peace-building effort which includes the US, UK, EU, Norway, China, the African Union and the UN. The leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia were also at the summit, as part of an international peace-building effort which includes the US, UK, EU, Norway, China, the African Union and the UN.
Both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar have said they need more time to resolve key issues, including what power sharing in a transitional government would look like. President Kiir had initially decided not to attend the talks, saying that a recent split within the rebel forces made it impossible to sign a lasting deal, because not all parties would be present around the negotiating table:
South Sudan's elusive peace:South Sudan's elusive peace:
Five obstacles to peace in South SudanFive obstacles to peace in South Sudan
President Kiir had initially decided not to attend the talks, saying that a recent split within the rebel forces made it impossible to sign a lasting deal, because not all parties would be present around the negotiating table:
"A peace that cannot be sustained cannot be signed," Mr Kiir said on Sunday."A peace that cannot be sustained cannot be signed," Mr Kiir said on Sunday.
"You should sign something that you will enjoy. If it is signed today and then tomorrow we go back to war, then what have we achieved?""You should sign something that you will enjoy. If it is signed today and then tomorrow we go back to war, then what have we achieved?"
Despite these obstacles, there is a "cautious optimism" that a deal can be signed today, reports the BBC's Emmanuel Igunza from the summit.
'Atrocities''Atrocities'
If the two sides fail to sign an agreement on Monday, the international community has said it will consider targeted sanctions against both sides, with the EU warning that that it will no longer be "business as usual".
In July, a UN report alleged that government troops had gang-raped and burned alive women and girls in the oil-rich Unity State, during an offensive against rebel forces.In July, a UN report alleged that government troops had gang-raped and burned alive women and girls in the oil-rich Unity State, during an offensive against rebel forces.
The rebels have also been accused of carrying out widespread atrocities, killing civilians in attacks on mosques and hospitals.The rebels have also been accused of carrying out widespread atrocities, killing civilians in attacks on mosques and hospitals.
The conflict erupted in December 2013 after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar, his sacked deputy, of plotting a coup.The conflict erupted in December 2013 after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar, his sacked deputy, of plotting a coup.
Mr Machar denied the allegation, but then formed a rebel army.Mr Machar denied the allegation, but then formed a rebel army.
Much of the fighting has been carried out along ethnic lines, between Mr Machar's Nuer group and Mr Kiir's fellow Dinka, the two dominant ethnic groups in South Sudan.Much of the fighting has been carried out along ethnic lines, between Mr Machar's Nuer group and Mr Kiir's fellow Dinka, the two dominant ethnic groups in South Sudan.