On paper at least, the new ceasefire signed on 9 May between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his opponent Riek Machar is a step forward. Not only does it recommit them to the terms of the 23 January ceasefire, but provisions for a transitional unity government and fresh elections go several steps further. As well as Kiir’s government and Machar’s forces, the peace process would include a group of key figures detained until recently by the government, representatives of political parties and civil society, and religious leaders.