South Sudan's President Salva Kiir refused Monday to sign a peace agreement with rebel forces, saying he needs more time, ABC News quoted mediators as saying on Monday.

Kiir said he needs 15 days before he will sign the agreement with rebel leader Riek Machar, according to mediators in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Machar signed the accord before Kiir refused.

Some South Sudanese women who participated in the negotiations were seen crying after Kiir said he would not sign. Others banged tables to express their disappointment.

Mediators had expressed hope that Kiir and Machar would sign a "compromise document," including provisions on how to share power and the composition of a coalition government.

South Sudan has been at war since December 2013 as government troops try to put down a rebellion. Multiple attempts to sign a comprehensive peace agreement have failed despite international pressure.