Rival South Sudanese armies agree on an united command structure.

Rivals in South Sudan have agreed to construct a united armed forces command, which is a major pillar of a peace accord struck in 2018.

Following Sudan's mediation, the agreement was signed on Sunday in Juba, the capital.

Tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar recently erupted, resulting in fighting between their forces.

The agreement lays out the terms for integrating rebel commanders into the military.

In critical positions in the army, police, and security forces, President Kiir's faction will have a 60 percent participation. The remaining 40% will be occupied by Mr. Machar's SPLM-IO and other opposition groupings.

Within a week, the opposition will provide a list of their top commanders.

It will be followed by the graduation of the united troops and subsequent deployment — which, according to the agreement, should not last more than two months.

"The people of South Sudan aspire for peace, and peace is about security, and we have reached a watershed moment in that regard today." Major General Martin Abacha, who represented Mr. Machar's faction, stated, "We have agreed to move on."

"I'd like to remind my friends on the other side that it's critical to put the weapons down so that South Sudan can develop." He went on to say, "Let there be no fighting, no attacks."

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), a regional bloc, has welcomed the agreement as "a great breakthrough."