Rebel and government forces in South Sudan have agreed to begin peace talks, mediators say.
The violence in South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, flared two weeks ago between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar, whom Kiir sacked in July.
Fighting has spread to six out of 10 states, killing hundreds and displacing some 120,000 others.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African regional organisation, said that the two sides have appointed representatives to negotiate a cessation to hostilities but did not give a timetable.
"The talks will focus on a monitored ceasefire followed by further dialogue aimed at solving the underlying political problems that led to the emergence of the present confrontation," the statement said, which was issued on Tuesday by the Kenyan government.
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Any groups still engaged in fighting were urged to lay down arms.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 following decades of civil war, but there has been mounting tensions within the government since.
An intensifying power struggle between Kiir, who has a military background with little formal education, and Machar, who has a doctorate from Britain, led to Kiir dismissing Macher along with his entire cabinet in July.
The sackings came as key politicians challenged Kiir's candidacy for the 2015 elections.
That Kiir and Machar come from different ethnic groups and regions within South Sudan caused further political ruptures. Kiir belongs to the Dinka, the largest group in South Sudan, and Machar is from the Nuer people.
