End of the War in South Sudan

South Sudan celebrated a new peace deal on Wednesday as fervent hopes of an end to a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people were tempered by widespread scepticism that the fragile agreement will hold.

The deal, which is meant to end a civil war that began in 2013, commits forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, and the rebel groups fighting them, to sharing power.

Speaking at a ceremony in Juba, the capital, Kiir offered an unprecedented apology for a conflict that “was a complete betrayal to our people and the liberation struggle”.

“As your president, I want to apologise on behalf of all the parties for what we have caused you, our people … I deeply regret the physical and psychological wounds you have had … Today marks the end of the war in the Republic of South Sudan,” he said.