US, UN wary of ceasefire:

Africa

The United States, Britain and the United Nations were skeptical on Wednesday of South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, noting that it coincides with the start of the rainy season that traditionally lessens fighting.

Kiir also said on Monday he would release political prisoners, but with no sign of a political deal with rebels it was not clear whether a ceasefire would take hold.

UN South Sudan envoy David Shearer welcomed the announcements, but warned they would be closely scrutinized. UN peacekeepers have been deployed since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

“The proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating,” Shearer told the UN Security Council on Wednesday. (RTRS)