South Sudan gained independence in 2017. But has hardly seen a day of peace since. However, now it looks like both sides in the link the civil war are ready to sign a peace deal. CGTN's Patrick Oyet reports from Juba.  

The proposed deal if signed will lead to formation of a unity government running for 3 years. The government will have 35 ministers. President Kiir will have 20 ministries, opposition group loyal to Riek Machar will have 9 cabinet portfolios. Other opposition groups will have 6 ministries. The agreement also proposes that South Sudan would have 5 vice presidents.

AL DIRDIR MOHAMED AHMED SUDANESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER "It's now confirmed that the signing of the peace deal will take place on 5th. August at 12:30 pm in Khartoum. We expect dignitaries from the region to attend the signing ceremony."

Some opposition groups, however, say they will sign the deal but with reservations hoping that their concerns would be addressed once the guns go silent.

Juba says it's hopeful that signing the deal would end the war in the country.

NHIAL DENG NHAIL SOUTH SUDANESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER "I would like to take this opportunity to commend president Salva for the huge efforts he is exerting to promote the restoration of peace in South Sudan. The mediators has made several proposals and all these have been accepted by him. Those proposals are very difficult but he has decided that he wants to respond to the yarning of the people of South Sudan for peace and he has made a lot of sacrifices and will continue to make the necessary compromises so that peace is achieved."

Both Sudan and South Sudan depend on oil.

Most of the oil fields are in South Sudan but the oil flows through Sudan to the international market and both countries share the oil money.

The 5-year war in South Sudan disrupted oil production and has negatively affected economies of both countries. Sudan now wants peace in South Sudan in order for oil to flow again.

PATRICK OYET JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN "Here in Juba, many are hoping that this time, once a deal is signed the warring parties would never again drive the country back to war."

UN says 7.1 million South Sudanese people are now food insecure as a result of the war which has forced many out of their farms.

GARANG LUAL JUBA RESIDENT "We are tired of war, we want peace, we want to move in the streets day and night and no one should be questioning us why, then we will work, whatever little money we get, our children will study with, we want peace."

The war has displaced more than 2.5 million South Sudanese people into neighboring countries and regional experts say there is no military solution to the violence. Patrick Oyet, CGTN, Juba, South Sudan.