Nearly 11 months after war broke out in South Sudan, a peace deal has been forged between the two parties: the soldiers and rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar and the supporters of President Salva Kiir, according to Al Jazeera. The peace deal was reached Saturday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

Earlier in the week, U.S. officials sought a United Nations resolution to authorize sanctions against individuals who were abusing the political instability and ignoring human rights in the young country, the Associated Press reported.

UN officials have found child soldiers in many areas of South Sudan, and have tagged the practice a form of human trafficking. Often the children will happen upon the military bases in search of shelter or necessities, or sometimes in exchange for protection of their families.

The fighting since last year has forced more than 1.7 million people from their homes, and caused a humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to Al Jazeera, officials say that South Sudan is at risk for a famine situation in the coming year if people cannot return to their homes in order to plant crops.

A statement from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body, has set the rules for peace between the two fighting parties.

Both sides will have to commit to an unconditional and immediate end to all hostilities -- any violation would result in asset freezes and travel bans from all the East African IGAD member states.

In addition, the IGAD has reserved the right to intervene, including blocking the transit of weapons in the region, if violence were to erupt again.

On Friday, a 30-year-old musician in South Sudan created a social media campaign to push for peace, according to Voice of America. Manaseh Mathiang launched the #wavesouthsudan project to fight for a common cause, calling on fellow countrymen to support peace under the flag they love.

"Everybody in South Sudan, no matter what tribe, no matter what political affiliation ... they still love the flag," Mathiang said.

The news Saturday of the peace deal has one uncontrollable obstacle -- the former Vice President does not control all the rebel forces, which could potentially lead to a new round of violence, according to Al Jazeera.