South Sudan's transitional government finally takes office

South Sudan installed its long-delayed transitional government on Thursday after rebel leader Riek Machar returned to the capital, Juba, and resumed his role as vice president. The unity government has set the country on track to restore peace, but it faces serious challenges as leaders work to set aside their differences and rebuild the country.

President Salva Kiir selected 16 of the new government’s 30-member cabinet. Machar nominated 10, while other political groups selected the remaining four ministers. The transitional government will remain in power for 30 months, leading up to new elections.

South Sudan fell into chaos in December 2013 when a civil war broke out between Kiir and Machar, his former deputy. The crisis has left tens of thousands dead and displaced more than 2 million people. The warring parties signed a peace deal in August, and then broke it several times. Machar finally arrived in Juba on Tuesday after a delay that left many wondering whether the leaders could work together again.

“Peace is the only choice for us to relieve our people the undeserved suffering associated with armed conflict enforced upon them,” Machar said after his swearing-in ceremony. “I believe this is the only way to return South Sudan to the path of peace, stability, and prosperity.”

The transitional government is a significant step, but much work lies ahead for leaders trying to restore stability in South Sudan. The government must work to end the fighting, stabilize the economy, reunite the divided army, and bring to trial those guilty of war crimes.

“It’s not going to be an easy fix,” said John Hursh, policy analyst with Enough Project, which works to end genocide and crimes against humanity. “They haven’t demonstrated that leadership in the past but whether they’re able to do so in the future remains to be seen. Everyone’s taking a wait-and-see approach.”

In a statement before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Donald Booth, special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, welcomed the steps towards reuniting the country but called for the government to remain steadfast in honoring the peace agreement.

“The United States has always been a friend to South Sudan,” Booth said. “We are ready to help its new government do right by its people. But we need to see that this government will not repeat past mistakes.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.