With Machar Back, Can South Sudan Now Heal? 

 

South Sudan's rebel leader and now Vice President Riek Machar, center left, walks with President Salva Kiir after being sworn in at the presidential palace in the capital Juba, South Sudan, April 26, 2016.

JUBA

South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar returned Tuesday to the capital after fleeing two-and-a-half years ago as civil war broke out. Now back in Juba, he was sworn in as the country's top vice president under President Salva Kiir.

Machar’s and Kiir's forces have waged a brutal war against each other since December 2013, a few months after the president fired Machar as his deputy. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and some 2.3 million have fled their homes.

The two men signed a peace deal last year, but implementation has been slow with fighting continuing in some areas. Machar's return raises hopes that the deal can take effect, and the conflict-torn nation can move toward peace.