UN chief urges S. Sudanese leaders to implement peace accord

September 15, 2015 (JUBA) – The United Nations secretary general, Ban ki Moon urged on Wednesday South Sudanese leaders to focus efforts on implementing the peace deal.

“I urge the two leaders to uphold the recent commitment they made to end this brutal conflict,” he remarked in a brief statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

Ki moon had welcomed the signing of the deal by South Sudan’s President on 26 August, saying it was a “critical and necessary step” in ending months of conflict in the country.

He earlier expressed hope the accord would bring an end to the violence that has killed tens of thousands of people and forced over two million citizens to flee their homes.

The outbreak of the conflict was as a result of political fighting between President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, which began in mid-December 2013.

According to the UN secretary general said that the over 20 months of conflict had “devastated” South Sudan and subjected its people to “unspeakable suffering.”

He however said the UN stands ready to support the implementation of the agreement.

Ki moon, however, expressed concerns on the plights of over 200,000 people at the UN protection of civilian sites in South Sudan, in addition to thousands in need of assistance.

(ST).