EU welcomes South Sudan deal

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has welcomed the agreement on the cessation of hostilities in South Sudan, signed in Addis Ababa on Thursday. "This agreement must now be turned to reality and the parties must move immediately to implement in good faith. This means that the killing must end now," she said in a statement. Ashton appealed to all parties to engage in discussions excluding none who can contribute to a resolution and to reconciliation. "The eyes of the world are on South Sudan. What began so promisingly and after so many sacrifices in 2011 must never again be squandered as it has been in the last four weeks. The political leadership of South Sudan must now rise to this challenge," she added.