[Published: Wednesday April 27 2016]
South Sudan rebel chief Machar sworn-in
JUBA, 27 Apr - (ANA) - South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar has been sworn-in as vice-president in a boost for a peace deal aimed at ending more than two years of conflict. He returned earlier to the capital, Juba, to take the post in a new unity government led by President Salva Kiir. Tens of thousands have been killed and about two million people left homeless in the conflict in South Sudan, which became independent in 2011. Mr Machar fled Juba at the start of the civil war in December 2013. He had been accused of trying to organise a coup, which he denied - but it set off a round of tit-for-tat killings, which developed into a full-blown conflict. Both men, whose personal falling out has resulted in more than two years of bitter conflict in the world's youngest nation, spoke optimistically about the future, addressing the media at the swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, President Salva Kiir welcomed Mr Machar back to South Sudan, twice referring to him as his "brother", according to a transcript of his speech published by the local Radio Tamazuj news website. "I have no doubt that his return to Juba today marks the end of the war and the return of peace and stability to South Sudan," Mr Kiir said. (ANA)
FA/ANA/27 April 2016---------------
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