Former South Sudan vice president Riek Machar returned to Khartoum on Tuesday from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, where he held talks with various leaders.

Machar has been based in Khartoum for months now, as he engages in talks with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on a peace deal that would effectively end the war in their country.

While in the Ethiopian capital, Machar is reported to have held talks with various leaders, including representatives of the United Nations, about the progress of the implementation of a peace agreement signed last year.

South Sudan has been beset by a civil war since December 2013, sparked by a feud between President Kiir and Machar, who was the vice president at the time.

Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup against his rule, allegations the latter denied but then went on to mobilise a rebel force to fight the government.

The war has killed tens of thousands and forced millions of others to flee their homes, prompting the United Nations to rank the country as Africa’s biggest refugee crisis.

Regional and international leaders have been routing for talks between the warring factions to end the war and ensure lasting peace in the country.

While a peace deal was struck in September to end the war and institute a unity government, Machar is yet to return to take up his designated vice president position in the proposed transitional government.

Both President Kiir and Machar have expressed support for the deal and restoration of peace in the country.