US condemns renewed military clashes in S. Sudan’s Unity state

October 30, 2014 (JUBA) – The United States has strongly condemned a recent outbreak of violence around South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity state, urging the opposition forces to cease hostilities.

“We call on both sides – both of whom have committed violations of the agreement that have delayed peace – to ensure their forces refrain from further actions that violate the January 23 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and undermine the peace process in South Sudan”, Jen Psaki, a spokesperson for the US state department said.

South Sudan has been in turmoil since last December and violence has killed thousands and displaced about 1.5 million people from their homes, further raised fear of the possible outbreak of famine.

Last week, the two warring factions inked a deal in Arusha, Tanzania and accepted responsibilities for crimes committed during the war.

“Despite the parties’ recent acceptance of collective responsibility for the crisis, these current attacks demonstrate that the SPLM/A-IO has yet to abandon violence to achieve its goals,” further said Psaki.

There are reports that both rebels and government forces are prepared for major offensives in the country when rainy season ends.

The US, however, called upon the warring factions to end what it described as a “senseless man-made conflict”, which has killed thousands and forced more than 1.5 million people of their homes.

MORE CONDEMNATION

The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki moon, also condemned in the strongest terms the resumption of hostilities between the country’s two warring parties in Bentiu and Rubkona of Unity State.

This resumption of hostilities, he said, is yet again a serious violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and undermines the ongoing IGAD efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan.

Ki moon calls upon president Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar to cease immediately all military operations, reminding them of their obligation to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.

He urged both parties to participate constructively in the on-going political negotiations in Addis Ababa and reach an agreement on an inclusive and comprehensive transitional arrangement.

Some 100,000 civilians, the UN says, are currently displaced within its protection of civilian camps, with 49,000 of them in Bentiu alone.

As negotiations continue, a major breakthrough for lasting peace is yet to be achieved in reality.

(ST).