Divisions appear among South Sudan rebels as 2 top generals removed

Just two weeks ago, the UN Security Council marked the fourth anniversary of South Sudans independence by expressing profound disappointment in South Sudans leaders for putting their personal ambitions ahead of the good of their country and their people, sparking months of politically motivated violence that has left thousands dead and caused a man-madecatastrophe.

Peace talks, led by the eight-nation East African IGAD bloc, have been taking place in Ethiopia nearly as long as the war, resulting in at least seven failed deals and ceasefires – all broken within days or hours.

The security situation in South Sudan has deteriorated steadily over the past year since political in-fighting between President Kiir and his former Vice-President, Riek Machar, and their respective factions erupted in December 2013.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Mr. O’Brien heads, the humanitarian consequences of the almost 20-month long conflict in South Sudan are grave: Some 4.6 million people are severely food insecure, with a quarter of a million children at risk from rapidly worsening nutrition.

A new proposal to set up an “inclusive transitional government” was adopted on Thursday by mediators, even though numerous points on power sharing were previously rejected by both sides in past talks.

“Entire communities have lost their homes and their livelihoods”.

O’Brien is due to visit the UN base in Bentiu, capital of the northern battleground state of Unity, where over 100 000 civilians are sheltering inside a camp, more than live in the destroyed town itself.

The last peace attempt broke down in March, with the rebels and government accused of seeking a military solution.

Aid agencies including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have warned of restricted access to some of hardest hit areas, including to the northeastern battleground state of Upper Nile.

Yesterday, the Under Secretary-General visited a UN civilian protection site in Juba, where some 20,000 people are sheltered, some for up to 19 months. “There is no closure of the river transport, but it is advice”.

Efforts are being made to establish the whereabouts of the missing aid workers and secure their release if they are being held, O’Brien said.

O’Brien said denial of access of aid operations and atrocities in the country still continue.