South Sudan leaders agree to form unity government

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar have agreed to form a unity government.

This latest development follows a meeting at State House in the capital, Juba, on Thursday.

President Kiir has promised protection for opposition leaders. Mr Machar’s allies had sought assurances about his safety should he formally return to the capital.

Mr Kiir said the key issues which have not been resolved, such as how he and Mr Machar would share the power and how opposing forces will be unified, are set to be addressed and finalised in the coming days.

Mr Machar has agreed to take up his former position as vice-president and the current cabinet will be dissolved to make way for more opposition members.

There are expectations the deal will bring an end to South Sudan's devastating six-year civil war.

The two men formed a short-lived unity government once before, in 2016. It lasted for three months before Mr Machar left Juba as fighting resumed.