South Sudanese President Salva Kirr has appointed former rebel leader Riek Machar as his vice president on Saturday. The two agreed on Thursday to the formation of a unitary government, which may end the six-year civil war in the country definitively.
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011. Two years later, a civil war arose after President Kirr dismissed his then vice-president Machar because of the differences between the tribes to which they belong.
Machar founded the largest rebel group after his resignation. In the following years, an estimated 400,000 people died in the conflict. A third of the population also fled.
Machar himself fled the African country in 2016 and only returned after a peace agreement was on the table. The agreement was signed in 2018. Among other things, a truce was agreed and the arrival of a transitional government with Machar as vice president.
The unitary government that was promised had to be formed before 12 November. However, the deadline was postponed to 22 February. On Thursday, Machar and Kirr announced that there will be a unitary government. New cabinet members have also been appointed.
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