African Union welcomes signing of peace deal by South Sudan's president

The African Union (AU) has welcomed the signing of a long-awaited peace agreement by South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit to end the 20-month civil war.

Kiir signed the agreement on Wednesday in the capital Juba following a threat from the United Nations of sanctions.

He had requested 15 days for "consultation" last week at a time when rebel leader Riek Machar inked the deal in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, in a statement urged parties in South Sudan to "seize this unique opportunity to open a new chapter in the history of their young nation and live up to the expectations of their long suffering people."

She reiterated AU's full support to the compromise deal -- the result of intensive and prolonged negotiations and consultations.

Several previous ceasefire deals have failed to hold.

The peace agreement includes a power-sharing proposal for a transitional government which will see Machar return as vice-president.

The leaders of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia have been mediating the negotiations and witnessed the signing.

Conflicts in South Sudan erupted in December 2013 after Kiir accused his sacked deputy Marchar of coup attempt -- charges that Marchar denied.