US says South Sudan’s President Kiir promises to sign peace deal

United States government said President Kiir should join the rebel leader, Machar, by signing the peace agreement to end the 20-month long civil war in the country. The conflict pits Kiir’s ethnic Dinka people against Machar’s Nuer.

Pagan Amum, the secretary-general of South Sudan’s ruling social gathering, and insurgent chief Riek Machar, signed a draft settlement committing them to peace, however the authorities stated it wanted 15 extra days to finalise a deal.

“A very foreboding sign, the journalist was killed just three days after President Salva Kiir threatened to target journalists before departing for peace talks in Addis Ababa“, Rhodes said. Rice argued that an arms embargo would be hard to enforce without cooperation from Uganda, South Sudan’s military ally, and would prevent the South Sudanese government from defending itself against the opposition.

“Our stand is that South Sudan need a lasting peace deal not an arrangement that will take the country back to war within a short period”, he said. He noted the resolution would impose an arms embargo and additional sanctions.

At the U.S. State Department, spokesman John Kirby said if news reports of government attacks on rebels were true, it would be concerning.

We actually don’t know what did Kiir refused to stop this bloody conflict which claimed thousands of lives let alone the huge numbers of displaced and the decline of oil revenues which is considered the only source for South Sudan economy.

The government, which has called the proposed deal a “sellout”, says it is not possible to sign a credible deal because the rebel forces have split.

Finally, given the high cost of South Sudan’s conflict to regional stability and the security and livelihoods of South Sudan’s people, the United States insists that there must be consequences for those who continue to stand in the way of peace. He said there had been no fighting in the area previously and accused the rebels of starting the latest violence in an attempt to open a new front.

Almost 70 percent of the country s population is facing food shortages while almost 200,000 civilians are sheltering in UN bases. He noted it directly affects the integrity and sovereignty of the government and people of South Sudan.

Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – joining a host of other voices – urged Kiir to sign onto the deal, which has already been signed by Kiir’s rival, rebel leader Riek Machar.