South Sudan ceasefire is only a first step

Under a peace agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 23 January, the government and dissident elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army have committed to ceasing “all military actions”, to “freeze their forces at the place they are in” and to “refrain from taking any actions that could lead to military confrontations”. They also agreed to cease propaganda campaigns against their opponents, pledged to protect civilians and allow for humanitarian access, and to comply with a monitoring and verification process to be implemented by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).