Will economic crisis finally bring peace to South Sudan?

South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, has appointed rebel leader Riek Machar as vice president in a move to restore peace and resolve the country’s deepening economic crisis.

The appointment complies with a Compromise Peace Agreement between the government forces and the rebels signed in August. The agreement sought to end the civil war that began in 2013 after Kiir fired Machar, who then served as his deputy. So far, the opposing parties have repeatedly violated the deal. But the failing economy has pushed Kiir to honor the agreement by creating a long-stalled transitional government.

After it became the world’s newest country almost five years ago, South Sudan’s public debt skyrocketed from zero to $4.2 billion. In December, the country devalued its currency to 84 percent as it struggled through declining oil prices.

“The country has very little money left, to be honest,” said Ahmed Soliman, a research associate with Chatham House’s Africa Program. “And the international funders are holding that money until the transitional government is assigned.”

South Sudan won its independence from Sudan in 2011, but the political unrest between government forces and Machar’s rebels trampled all signs of progress. The war has killed tens of thousands, according to the United Nations. More than 2 million people are displaced and another 4 million are at severe risk of food insecurity.

Although he’s officially back in office, Machar said he would only return to Juba, the country’s capital, when appropriate security arrangements are made. Machar also called for the demilitarization of Juba, in line with the peace deal. He asked that the first phase of integrating the government be completed before his return.

Soliman said the deal for the transitional government could be finalized in a few weeks due to economic pressures but predicted the country would continue to struggle from a lack of unified vision.

“We haven’t seen many examples of positive power-sharing governments,” Soliman said referring to Zimbabwe and Kenya as examples. “It hasn’t worked well on the continent.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.