(CNN) -- The South Sudanese government and rebels signed a cease-fire deal on Thursday after more than a month of fighting, according to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African trade bloc that has been helping to mediate between the parties.
The government and the rebels reached the agreement in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.
It calls for an immediate end to all military operations and a freeze of forces at the "place they are in."
The parties also agreed
not to attack civilians and refrain from rape, sexual abuse and torture.
Supply routes for humanitarian aid are to be opened to reach displaced
populations.
The agreement also sets
up an unarmed group of monitors that includes members from surrounding
East African nations and representatives from both the rebels and the government.
Their job will be to ensure that the cease-fire agreement is effective.
According to the official document, the cease-fire begins Friday, 24 hours after its signing.
South Sudan erupted in
violence on December 15 when rebels loyal to ousted Vice President Riek
Machar tried to stage a coup. Violence quickly spread, with reports of
mass killings emerging nationwide.
Some of the heaviest
fighting was over control of the city of Bor, the strategically located
capital of Jonglei state. It was recaptured by government forces last
week. The mayor of Bor said between 1,200 and 1,400 civilians were
killed when rebels held Bor between December 17 and 24.
In a statement, the
trade bloc said the cease-fire is an important milestone, but more
shuttle diplomacy is needed before the next phase of peace talks can
begin.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 after decades of war, making it the world's youngest nation. posted by Emanto Ngaloru Jan 24, 2014.
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