The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan David Shearer has urged the warring factions in the country to end the violence and fully commit to peace talks.
“The solution to the challenges that are facing South Sudan are not violent ones, they are political. Certainly political, not military,” Shearer said.
“All of the warring parties must abide by the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, lay down their weapons and come to the negotiating table with a genuine willingness to compromise, to reconcile and to work for peace.”
Talks at the High Level Revitalization Forum are set to resume in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, next week. All parties are expected to be represented, including the U.N.
“We believe very strongly that this forum is critical to achieving a genuine and lasting peace and we hope that our role there will be able to narrow the position between the various parties,” Shearer said.
He urged the parties to use this meeting to ensure progress in the pacification of the world’s youngest nation.
“I hope that the parties seize the opportunity to make real progress for the sake of their people, who continue to suffer immensely from the ongoing conflict,” he said.
South Sudan has been dogged by conflict since December 2013, sparked by a feud between President Salva Kiir and his then deputy Riek Machar.
Kiir accussed Machar of plotting to overthrow his rule, allegations Machar denied but then went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
Tens of thousands have been killed in the war with millions other displaced, prompting the UN early last year to rank South Sudan as Africa’s biggest refugee crisis.
