We were pleased to learn about the signing of a cease-fire agreement between the Government of South Sudan and supporters of the Ex Vice-President Riek Machar, on the 23 January, in Addis Abeba. We expect the agreements just reached, which envisage an immediate stop to military action, "freezing" of all armed units of the parties in the places of their dislocationand the guarantee of a contribution in the supplies of humanitarian aid to the population in the regions which have suffered, to be strictly implemented.

We welcome the decision about the creation of a group to observe the implementation of the agreement, consisting of representatives from neighbouring African countries and participants of the South Sudanese conflict.

Moscow expresses a hope that the agreements just reached will become an important step along the way to the beginning of a constructive political dialogue between the parties to the conflict and will lead to the achievement of stable peace and consent in South Sudan.

24 January 2014