Take decisive action to end South Sudan conflict, AU states told

A refugee from South Sudan drinks water at a well during celebrations to mark World Refugee Day at Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana, June 20, 2015. /REUTERS

The African Union wants its member countries to take decisive action to end the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.

The AU's Peace and Security Council on Friday said they are disappointed by the pace at which peace resolutions are being implemented.

This followed a ministerial meeting on Wednesday when the consequences of prolonged fights on the people were noted.

"The AU expresses concerns over the unabated continued fighting in South Sudan, and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities," the statement reads in part.

"In this regard, the council strongly urges all stakeholders, including armed groups, to commit to a permanent ceasefire."

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he'll send Nikki Haley, US envoy to the UN, to war-torn South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said the US is closely monitoring and is deeply disturbed by the ongoing violence in the two countries.

"....he will discuss avenues of conflict and resolution and most importantly, prevention," Trump told African leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The council also said parties should cooperate with IGAD to ensure the success of the high-level revitalisation forum to develop a clear political strategy for the peace process.

The council, however, commended JMEC chairperson Festus Mogae and members for their efforts in monitoring and reporting on the status of the implementation of the resolutions.

At a plenary meeting in Juba on August 24, Mogae called out the warring parting for doing little or nothing to ensure the peace agreement is implemented.

"Since our last meeting in July, the security situation in the former Upper Nile State has worsened due to the recent offensive operations by forces of the SPLA-IG against the SPLA-IO ( Riek Machar) in Matthiang and Pagak," Mogae said.

"I condemn all the violence that has occurred in and around Pagak over the past month and urge that military operations cease immediately."

Six million people ” half the entire population ” are severely food insecure, and the continuous displacement from the Equatorial region, the breadbasket of South Sudan, has worsened food insecurity.

The total number of displaced South Sudanese is now four million, two million of whom are internally displaced while another two million are refugees in neighbouring countries.

The UN continues to report the occurrence of gross human rights abuses, in the form of indiscriminate killings, rape, sexual violence against girls, boys, women and men, and the destruction of property.