LOC13:11
10:11 GMT
TOKYO, Aug 7 (KUNA) -- Japan on Tuesday hailed a power-sharing agreement between the main political rivals in South Sudan on Sunday, while pledging its continued support to the country.
"Japan welcomes the agreement by the South Sudanese parties on the outstanding issues of governance for the revitalized transitional period in order to promote peace in South Sudan," Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Takeshi Osuga said in a statement.
"Japan expresses its respect for all the efforts made by Sudan and other Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries as well as the IGAD Secretariat to improve the situation in South Sudan," said Osuga.
"We strongly hope that the parties will continue cooperating constructively to ensure inclusivity and sustainability of the agreements, and demonstrate their strong political will to implement them steadily, sincerely and peacefully, including permanent ceasefire, security sector reform, and the establishment and management of a revitalized transitional government, thereby bringing about a lasting peace and stability in South Sudan," the spokesman said.
"Japan will continue to support, in partnership with the international community, the efforts towards peace and stability in South Sudan," he added.
According to media report, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar signed the final ceasefire and power-sharing agreement in Khartoum to end a five-year civil war. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but the civil war broke out two years later between the government led by Kiir and a rebel movement led by Machar. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than four million people. (end)
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