LOC19:29
16:29 GMT
TOKYO, June 29 (KUNA) -- Japan on Friday hailed the signing of a permanent ceasefire agreement between the main political rivals in South Sudan earlier this week while pledging its continued support to the country.
"Japan welcomes the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement to promote peace in South Sudan. Japan expresses its respect for the continued efforts by the Sudanese government, the Ethiopian government and other Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries to improve the situation in South Sudan," Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Norio Maruyama said in a statement.
"We strongly hope that the parties will rigorously implement the agreed permanent ceasefire and reach agreement as soon as possible on the outstanding issues of security arrangements and governance during the transitional period, thereby bringing about a lasting peace and stability in South Sudan," said Maruyama.
"Japan will continue to support, in partnership with the international community, the efforts towards peace and stability in South Sudan," the spokesman added.
According to media reports, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar agreed in Khartoum on Wednesday to a "permanent" ceasefire to take effect within 72 hours. In the deal, the two sides also pledged to finalize a deal on the pending issues in the governance chapter of the 2015 peace agreement. (end)
mk.mt