(VOVworld) - The government and rebels in South Sudan have agreed to end fighting and form a transitional government within 60 days.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (centre) met rebel chief Riek Machar on the sidelines of an IGAD summit (Photo: Reuters)

The agreement was reached at a meeting between President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar on the sidelines of a summit held by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa. Mediator for Sudanese related parties, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, said the government and rebels had agreed on ways and a time-frame to form the transitional government. Ms. Hailemariam said President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar had committed to implement the signed agreement. She added the IGAD will act for peace if the two sides fail to comply with the agreement.