The chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday congratulated South Sudan on the formation of a transitional government of national unity, calling it an important milestone towards building a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous country.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar on Saturday announced the creation of the transitional government to end the civil war in the world's newest country.

Mahamat said the country's leadership had shown political maturity by making the necessary sacrifices and compromise to reach this landmark stage of South Sudan’s transition to silence the guns.

He said the people of South Sudan had endured enough war and displacement and deserved a safe, secure and peaceful country, and called on for the faithful implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) signed in 2018, in its letter and spirit.

The transitional government was only an initial step towards the more challenging reform processes that would require steadfast, collegiate and transparent leadership to deliver on the legitimate expectations for peace, he added.

"I wish to commend the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union high level ad hoc committee on South Sudan, the United Nations and other international partners who have made immense contributions to the South Sudan peace process," he said.

"In order to maintain the momentum of this important process,I once again calls on the international community to commit to the peace process to support the parties in order to prevent any possible conflict relapse."

He pledged the African Union’s continued commitment to support South Sudan in strengthening its sovereignty, stability and political independence.

In a separate statement on Monday, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway also welcomed the new development in South Sudan, adding however that for the transitional period to be a success "a spirit of continuous collaboration, supported by the active, engaged, and free voices of citizens and civil society, must continue".

"Nearly nine years since South Sudan’s independence, this is an opportunity for the political leadership to take their country forward towards prosperity and peace by making meaningful progress on security sector arrangements, the reform agenda, transitional justice and accountability, and preparations for credible and safe elections," the three Western countries said.

They also committed themselves to working with the new transitional government, the IGAD and other regional and international partners to support South Sudan in its pursuit of peace and stability.

The February 22 announcement follows the signing of a truce agreement between Kiir and South Sudan’s Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) in Rome in January.

It follows delays in implementing the 2018 peace deal between the government and the main opposition to end the civil conflict.