South Sudan ’s President Salva Kiir is expected to swear in former rebel leader Riek Machar as his first vice president on Saturday following a pact between the two men to form a Government of National Unity (GNU).
Kiir and Machar had repeatedly pushed back deadlines to form a government of national unity following a peace accord signed in 2018.
The formation of a unity government is expected to end a war that has claimed 400 000 lives in Africa’s newest State.
The two rivals met on Thursday at State House and said that a government will be formed and they will resolve outstanding issues, such as the unification of the army, in the coming days.
The swearing-in is expected to take place at 2 p.m. (1100 GMT).