UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - South Sudan's leaders have failed their people by putting their personal ambitions first and if they do not show a willingness to compromise in peace talks they have to face consequences such as sanctions, says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In his latest report to the U.N. Security Council, seen by Reuters on Thursday, Ban said the warring parties are recruiting children to fight and restricting the work of U.N. peacekeepers, who are sheltering some 118,000 people at protection sites.
South Sudan plunged into civil war in December 2013 when a political crisis sparked fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied with his former deputy Riek Machar. The conflict has reopened ethnic fault lines that pit Kiir's Dinka people against Machar's ethnic Nuer forces.
Ban said that 16-months of peace talks led by East African bloc IGAD broke down last month "due to the continued intransigence of South Sudan's political leaders and their failure to see beyond their personal ambitions and put the people of South Sudan first."
"Should the parties fail to show willingness to compromise, and continue giving priority to military confrontation, those responsible will have to face the consequences," Ban wrote, noting that the U.N. Security Council in February established a sanctions regime for South Sudan.
The Security Council threatened to blacklist anyone undermining security or interfering with the peace process in South Sudan, but it has not yet imposed worldwide travel bans and asset freezes on any officials in the conflict-torn country.
He called on "President Kiir and Riek Machar to cease all military operations immediately, release all children mobilized within their ranks and engage in meaningful dialogue on all outstanding issues towards the establishment of a transitional government of national unity."
South Sudan's parliament voted last month to extend Kiir's term in office by three years, and Ban said this should not disincentivise the government to make the necessary compromises to reach a peace deal.
Ban said more than 1.5 million people had been displaced in South Sudan, while a further 500,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. Some 2.5 million people do not have enough to eat and more than 4 million need water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The United Nations has more than 12,000 peacekeeping troops and police in South Sudan. Thousands of people have been killed during the renewed conflict in the country, the world's youngest.
Newer articles:
- More than 200,000 South Sudanese have trooped into Ethiopia - 02/05/2015 16:21
- No One Is Winning South Sudan’s Civil War - 02/05/2015 11:27
- Amid spike in arrivals, number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia passes 200,000 – UN - 01/05/2015 14:03
- S. Sudan's Pibor: Peace, but still no services - 01/05/2015 07:11
- South Sudan downplays Khartoum’s threats - 01/05/2015 05:39
Older news items
- University Of Juba marks 18th Graduation, More Than 2000 Graduate - 30/04/2015 01:39
- South Sudan official says Kiir to stay in power a long time, cites Mugabe - 29/04/2015 19:25
- Sudan's President Warns South Sudan Over Rebels - 28/04/2015 13:20
- South Sudan needs 'different, innovative' peace push: mediator - 28/04/2015 09:43
- Exclusive: South Sudan finance ministry bypassed in multi-million dollar tractor deal - 27/04/2015 11:58
Latest news items (all categories):
- Canada helping to fund South Sudan vote despite growing repression - 05/10/2026 15:10
- UNMISS patrol reaches remote Ibba communities amidst heavy rains, insecurity, and growing health threats - 05/10/2026 15:07
- WFP Strongly Condemns Attack on Trucks in South Kordofan, Killing One Driver - 05/10/2026 15:03
- Advancing Women’s Land Rights through building capacity of customary institutions in Magwi County, South Sudan - 02/10/2026 13:18
- AU calls for release of political detainees ahead of South Sudan elections - 02/10/2026 13:15
Random articles (all categories):
- UN takes steps to support coronavirus prevention and preparedness in South Sudan - 19/03/2020 10:54
- South Sudanese Supermodel Alek Wek Returns to the Country She Fled as a ... - Forbes - 27/07/2012 10:12
- Vacancy Advertisements (2 Positions): P4 Education Specialist ECW, P4, Amman - Jordan (MENARO) & Education Specialist EAC, P4, Amman - Jordan (MENARO) - 18/07/2017 19:13
- New report outlines how digital finance can drive women's economic empowerment in Africa - 05/10/2022 00:32
- Building stability in South Sudan - 26/07/2023 06:54
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 150618 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28188 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25299 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24530 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22487 times
