South Sudan’s rival groups sign Christmas Eve ceasefire

South Sudan’s rival factions on Thursday agreed to a new cease-fire that will begin on Christmas Eve. It’s the latest attempt to end a civil war in the world’s youngest nation that has killed tens of thousands of people. South Sudan’s government and armed groups signed the agreement during peace talks in Ethiopia, where they agreed to end hostilities, freeze military positions, and release prisoners of war. “This is a gift to South Sudanese people to celebrate their Christmas and New Year,” said Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workineh Gebeyehu. “But as past experience has shown, implementation is the longer and more difficult aspect.” South Sudan’s conflict began in 2013 when civil war broke out between troops loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and fighters backing his former deputy, Riek Machar. A 2015 peace deal collapsed following heavy fighting in Juba, the capital city. The United States called this year’s deal “the last chance for the implementation of the peace process.”