Washington (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday warned both sides fighting in South Sudan to down arms or face sanctions that have already been authorized by the UN Security Council.
A truce aimed at ending the brutal civil war between government and rebel forces in South Sudan, the world's newest nation and one of its most troubled, came into effect on Saturday.
But rebel leader Riek Machar has already accused President Salva Kiir's forces of breaking the ceasefire and the peace process is in danger, while 200,000 civilians are sheltering in UN bases.
The US State Department did not attribute blame for the latest fighting but demanded that it cease and reminded the warring parties that the Security Council has already approved sanctions.
"The United States condemns the recent fighting in Jonglei State and Upper Nile State in South Sudan," deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
"Anyone acting to spoil the peace agreement implementation will face consequences." A UN Security Council resolution has authorized targeted sanctions and an arms embargo if fighting continues.
Fighting erupted in December 2013 -- two years after South Sudan's hard-won independence -- when Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup.
This unleashed a wave of killings that has split the young country along ethnic lines and embarrassed the United States, which pushed hard for its international recognition.
At least seven ceasefires have already been agreed and then shattered within days or even hours, while 2.2 million people have been driven from their homes.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan Rebels Commit to New Peace Deal - 04/09/2015 05:31
- UNSC set to meet on South Sudan - 04/09/2015 04:23
- Archbishop of Juba to brief Pope Francis about S. Sudan Peace - 04/09/2015 03:30
- Kerry warns South Sudan leader on ceasefire - 03/09/2015 17:15
- South Sudan Moves Forward on Ceasefire, Transitional Security - 02/09/2015 13:09
Older news items
- Olympic wrestlers beware, Sudan's fighting giants are coming - 01/09/2015 10:45
- South Sudan On The Brink: Failing Currency And Armed Conflict Pushes Country Closer To Famine - 01/09/2015 09:42
- Japan’s Ambassador To South Sudan Pays A Visit To Camps In Upper Nile - 01/09/2015 05:26
- South Sudan hints at keeping Ugandan troops despite peace deal - 31/08/2015 17:00
- What new violence in South Sudan spells for the region - 31/08/2015 15:31
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan can leverage China’s AI path to bridge the digital divide - 16/09/2026 16:04
- Credible Elections Are No Longer Possible in South Sudan - What Next? - 16/09/2026 15:59
- South Sudan's president replaces electoral chief three months before scheduled polls - 16/09/2026 15:56
- Turkish Airlines is pulling out of 5 African routes, including South Sudan - 16/09/2026 15:23
- ‘Super El Niño’ deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan – WFP - 16/09/2026 15:19
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan may need help from China and IMF to stabilise economy - 26/04/2019 06:17
- South Sudan freed UN journalist held 2 years without charge - 26/05/2017 10:47
- Boston Judge Allows Trump Administration to End South Sudan TPS Protections - 07/08/2026 22:11
- South Sudan: Juba to Host Security Meeting With Khartoum On Monday - 28/07/2013 04:07
- South Sudan: Igad must move quickly to stop genocide - 30/07/2016 19:12
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 149587 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28114 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25195 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24464 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22414 times
