AU urges S. Sudan's warring parties to honour ceasefire

September 22, 2014 (JUBA) – The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has reiterated its appeal for South Sudan’s conflicting parties to honour their commitments to the cessation of hostilities agreement and other subsequent accords, including the implementation matrix they signed, which sets out a timetable for disengagement, separation and disposition of forces.

A general view of a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (Photo courtesy of the African Union)

The call came at the end of its 458th meeting held on 17 September during which the Council discussed the situation in South Sudan.

Last week, fresh fighting resumed in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state between the warring parties and was condemned by the East African regional bloc (IGAD) as a violated the agreed ceasefire.

The Council expressed deep concern over the lack of progress in the political negotiations, including the non-compliance with the 60 days deadline for the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity, and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

South Sudanese stakeholders were expected to conclude, within six weeks, negotiations on the necessary details to fully operationalise the set principles, as agreed at an IGAD summit held in 25 August.

However, the regional body lauded efforts by IGAD under the chairmanship of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Haile Mariam Dessalegn as well as the team of special envoys, for their tireless efforts in the search for a lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan.

The Council, in its communiqué, also welcomed the resumption, since 15 September 2014, of the South Sudan multi-stakeholders talks in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, under the auspices of IGAD, reminding those involved of their primary responsibility in ending the untold suffering inflicted upon their people and achieving lasting peace, security, stability and reconciliation in their country.

It, meanwhile, reiterated its determination, in coordination with IGAD, to take the necessary measures against any party that fails to honour its commitments and continues to undermine the search for a negotiated solution to the current crisis.

Also of concern, the AUPC said, was the prevailing humanitarian situation in South Sudan, in which demanded renewed efforts to assist the affected populations.

Thousands of people have died and nearly 1.5 million displaced in South Sudan since the violence broke out in mid-December last year.

(ST)