After weeks of fighting, rebel forces and President Salva Kiir’s government forces have killed over 1,000 people, and have forced 230,000 to flee from their homes. Three African envoys went to South Sudan to ask rebel leader, Riek Machar to cease fire.

This conflict has sent South Sudan, a young nation, into a civil war. According to Reuters, Kiir’s information minister believes that the cease fire contract will be signed once the African Envoys return to Addis Ababa.

Before South Sudan became its own nation, there was a First and Second Sudanese Civil Wars between North and South Sudan, which spanned the last 50 years, according to International Medical Corps. This civil war ended in 2005 with a signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which gave South Sudan the right to self-government, and its people the right to self-determination. Although the CPA was signed, South Sudan remains underdeveloped, and in need of help.

The cease fire contract will demand that the 11 politicians, who have been detained since December by rebel forces, to be let go.

Machar’s location has been held tightly by his delegation members, who are in Addis Ababa, however sources say that he could be in a town close to the border of Ethiopia, according to Reuters.

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