Sudanise President says no to peace

South Sudan President Salva Kiir declined to sign a peace deal proposed by regional leaders yesterday, saying he required more time, the mediator of the crisis said.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into chaos in December 2013 when a political row between Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar spiraled into armed conflict that reopened ethnic faultlines.

Seyoum Mesfin, the mediator for IGAD, the East African bloc leading the talks, said Kiir's side required two weeks before signing the peace deal that was accepted by the South Sudanese rebels.

"In the next 15 days, the government will come back to Addis Ababa to finalise the peace agreement," Seyoum said. No one from the government was immediately available to comment.

The American State Department said it deeply regretted the government decision, urged it to sign within 15 days and renewed a threat to raise pressure on those opposing the peace proposal.

Numerous rounds of negotiations have failed to end fighting that has killed over 10 000 people and displaced more than 2 million, with both sides engaging in a war of attrition despite signing ceasefire deals.

Last month, IGAD set 17 August as the deadline to end the drawn-out talks, outlining proposals for ending the fighting.