The South Sudanese government and the opposition signed a security arrangements deal this evening aimed at ending years of conflict.

Negotiators from all parties signed the “security arrangements agreement" in Khartoum under the auspices of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir.

The deal was signed by government information minister Michael Makuei and the representatives of the opposition groups among diplomatic presence and media coverage.

The parties agreed on demilitarization of civilian centres, timeframe for integration of forces, formation of a joint security mechanism, and cantonment sites.

According to the document, all prisoners of war and political detainees will be immediately released under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and humanitarian corridors for relief will be opened.

A process of national healing and reconciliation will commence at the beginning of transitional period, according to the agreement.

In his speech during the signing ceremony, Sudan’s Foreign Minister al-Diridir Mohamed Ahmed urged the parties to silence the guns and observe the signed ceasefire deal in South Sudan.

The power-sharing or the governance chapter remains the issue under discussion.