IGAD says considers sending troops to S. Sudan

July 13, 2016 (JUBA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers at its extraordinary summit held in Kenya said it would consider sending troops to South Sudan.

In a communiqué issued after the summit, IGAD also demanded immediate ceasefire and that all the armed forces immediately return to their barracks.

The summit came in the wake of clashes that occurred between South Sudan’s rival factions in the capital, Juba on Friday last week.

Thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds killed in the violence, seen as a setback to the implementation of the peace deal signed by leader of South Sudan’s warring parties late last year.

Meanwhile, IGAD also demanded the urgent revision of the United Nation mission in South Sudan mandate to establish an intervention brigade and increase numbers of troops from the region and send to Juba.

The IGAD Council of Ministers further stressed the urgent need to open humanitarian corridors and that those found to have been responsible for breakdown of law and order, be held accountable.

(ST)