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South Sudan Cease Fire Agreement May End Bloody Conflict

Both sides involved in the weeks-long, deadly conflict will lay down their arms in a temporary agreement.

Weeks of fighting in South Sudan that has killed hundreds and pushed the country toward civil war may be coming to an end Thursday as rebel groups and the country’s government have signed a ceasefire.

Tens of thousands have reportedly been displaced since mid December, when fighting between supporters of ousted Vice President Riek Machar’s and supporters of President Salva Kiir began. The conflict has been split among the Machar Nuer and the Kiir Dinka people.

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Today the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional development organization in East Africa, released an image of South Sudanese parties signing agreements on cessation of hostilities and question of detainees.

#southsudan parties sign agreements on Cessation of Hostilities and question of detainees.@igadsecretariat pic.twitter.com/QGrPia3Yqd
— IGAD's CEWARN (@cewarn) January 23, 2014

“As ceasefire begins, we are grateful to @igadsecretariat for continued support of peace & the people of #SouthSudan," the Government of South Sudan (@RepSouthSudan) tweeted.

Earlier today, Mabior Garang, a spokesman for Machar’s delegation at the talks, told Reuters: "We will sign the deal."

The agreement states that both sides will lay down their arms and Kiir will pardon political prisoners who support Machar. Both sides agreed this is a temporary agreement and peace talks will need to continue.