After months of sectarian fighting, the world's newest nation, South Sudan, has reached a peace deal between its warring factions. Signed in the Ethiopian capital, the new deal would allow the nation to turn a leaf but it may not be enough to undo what has already happened.

In December 2013, violence erupted in South Sudan when troops loyal to President Salva Kiir began fighting troops loyal to Vice President Riek Machar. The fighting has continued until this peace accord, according to the New York Times. The fighting quickly devolved into a struggle between South Sudan's two major ethnic groups, the Dinka and Nuer. Kiir is Dinka and Machar Nuer.

The New York Times reports that the United Nations released a report on Thursday, revealing actions by both sides that constitute ethnic cleansing. During the conflict, thousands have died and an estimated million are homeless.

The U.N. reports that the atrocities were committed in a "massive scale" by both sides. According to the Times, government forces would go through villages killing men of certain ethnic backgrounds. Civilians have been killed within U.N. bases and both sides have raped women. They also attacked churches, hospitals and aid facilities.

These new allegations by the international organization could translate into further sanctions by the United States, which began this week. However, the peace accords remain in place.

The BBC reports that both sides reached an agreement Friday night in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The face-to-face negotiations proved to be successful, after a failed ceasefire in January, and both sides have agreed to stop hostilities, create a transitional government and rewrite the constitution. The terms call for an end of hostilities within 24 hours of the signing and there will be further talks for a permanent agreement.