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South Sudan President Salva Kiir signs peace deal South Sudan President Salva Kiir signs peace deal
(about 4 hours later)
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has signed a peace deal with rebels after a threat of sanctions from the UN.South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has signed a peace deal with rebels after a threat of sanctions from the UN.
He told those gathered for the signing ceremony in the capital, Juba, that he had "reservations" about how the mediation was conducted and some of the clauses in the compromise deal.He told those gathered for the signing ceremony in the capital, Juba, that he had "reservations" about how the mediation was conducted and some of the clauses in the compromise deal.
Rebel leader Riek Machar signed the deal last week but Mr Kiir refused.Rebel leader Riek Machar signed the deal last week but Mr Kiir refused.
It is meant to end months of brutal civil war and will see Mr Machar return as vice-president.It is meant to end months of brutal civil war and will see Mr Machar return as vice-president.
Fighting between forces loyal to the two men over the last 20 months has forced more than 2.2 million people from their homes in the world's youngest state, which broke away from Sudan in 2011.Fighting between forces loyal to the two men over the last 20 months has forced more than 2.2 million people from their homes in the world's youngest state, which broke away from Sudan in 2011.
The leaders of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, who all helped mediate the negotiations, witnessed the signing.The leaders of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, who all helped mediate the negotiations, witnessed the signing.
The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in Juba says that before the signing, President Kiir spent hours in a closed-door meeting with the regional leaders. However, the BBC's Alastair Leithead in the capital, Juba, says that the buzz of optimism has already started to wane.
Afterwards, he gave an address at Freedom Hall, speaking at length of his unease about the deal and saying he wanted these reservations to be on record, our correspondent says. One of the two generals who defected earlier this month from the rebel side has condemned the peace deal, saying it is "not for the whole of South Sudan".
Key points of peace deal: "If they don't listen to us, they'll listen to the bullets," General Gathoth Gatkuoth told the BBC, referring to both the government and the rebels.
Full PDF of agreement At the scene: Alastair Leithead, BBC News, Juba:
Five obstacles to lasting peace As time passed and the temperature rose in the big, celebratory tent, the buzz of optimism started to wane.
Last-minute talks had been going on for hours - surely President Salva Kiir wouldn't leave regional heads of state at the altar for the second time in 10 days?
The talking had been tough - the language of the leaders was strong.
When Kenya's President Kenyatta said there was "no such thing as a perfect agreement", it was clear it had been a tough day around a table.
People shouldn't see "obstacles, but opportunity and hope," he added.
Uganda's Yoweri Museveni called South Sudan's struggle for independence a just war, but that this was "the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time".
And then in a long, slow speech, pausing regularly to remove his glasses and wipe his face, it wasn't quite clear if President Kiir was going to sign the deal or not.
In the end he did, but any moment of statesmanship was lost in a piece of theatre.
He finally said he would sign only if the heads of state initialled a long list of reservations - which he then proceeded to do while photocopies of the list were handed out to the audience.
The regional leaders declined, but the signing went ahead. With renegade generals not signing up to the deal and much picking still to be done over the detail, there's little here that would make the 1.6 million displaced people in South Sudan rush home.
Will South Sudan peace deal be worth the wait?
Before signing the deal, President Kiir spent hours in a closed-door meeting with the regional leaders.
Afterwards, he addressed the delegates, speaking at length of his unease about the deal and saying he wanted these reservations to be on record.
During his speech, South Sudan's president mentioned areas such as the ambiguous structure and command of the South Sudan forces once the transitional government takes office in 90 days.During his speech, South Sudan's president mentioned areas such as the ambiguous structure and command of the South Sudan forces once the transitional government takes office in 90 days.
He also had issues about the power-sharing arrangements.He also had issues about the power-sharing arrangements.
Fresh fighting that has erupted in the oil-rich town of Bentiu was a clear indication that rebels did not respect the deal they had so recently signed, he added.Fresh fighting that has erupted in the oil-rich town of Bentiu was a clear indication that rebels did not respect the deal they had so recently signed, he added.
Key points of peace deal:
Full PDF of agreement
Five obstacles to lasting peace
At least seven ceasefires have been agreed and then shattered - sometimes within hours.At least seven ceasefires have been agreed and then shattered - sometimes within hours.
Fighting broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Mr Machar of plotting a coup.Fighting broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Mr Machar of plotting a coup.
Mr Machar denied the charges, but then mobilised a rebel force to fight the government.Mr Machar denied the charges, but then mobilised a rebel force to fight the government.
Earlier in a Security Council briefing, the UN's humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien warned that conditions in South Sudan were deteriorating, saying he had heard multiple accounts of atrocities, including people being burned in their homes.Earlier in a Security Council briefing, the UN's humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien warned that conditions in South Sudan were deteriorating, saying he had heard multiple accounts of atrocities, including people being burned in their homes.
"The scope and level of cruelty that has characterised the attacks against civilians suggests a depth of antipathy that goes beyond political differences," he said."The scope and level of cruelty that has characterised the attacks against civilians suggests a depth of antipathy that goes beyond political differences," he said.
A US-drafted resolution would have imposed an arms embargo and targeted sanctions unless Mr Kiir signed.A US-drafted resolution would have imposed an arms embargo and targeted sanctions unless Mr Kiir signed.