(VOVworld) – Leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) met Thursday in Ethiopia’s capital to seek a solution to the conflict in South Sudan.

Members of South Sudan's rebel delegation are seen at the opening ceremony of peace talks in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, Jan. 4, 2014. (Photo: VOA)

IGAD mediator of the South Sudan peace talks Seyoum Mesfin said leaders of East African countries have agreed unanimously to deploy an international force to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, by mid-April to supervise a ceasefire agreement between the South Sudanese government and rebels and protect oil refineries. Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda will send troops to join the international force. Peace negotiations between the South Sudanese government and the rebels came to a standstill when the two sides could not reach a ceasefire agreement.