UNSC in War-Torn S Sudan to Push for Peace

Local Editor

UN Security Council ambassadors landed in war-torn South Sudan Tuesday in a bid to end eight months of conflict that has pushed the young nation to the brink of famine.

Thousands of people have been killed and over 1.5 million have fled almost eight months of carnage, sparked by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar, with battles between government troops, mutinous soldiers and ragtag militia forces divided by tribe.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the visit was to "engage with leaders" and witness "the humanitarian crisis first hand".

The ambassadors are due to meet with Kiir as part of their two-day visit to the world's youngest nation.

The UN Security Council last week threatened to slap sanctions on leaders if fighting continues.
"The actions of President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar in continuing to pursue a military solution to this conflict are unacceptable," said the 15-member council on Friday.

The UN has said the food crisis is the "worst in the world", with aid workers warning of famine within weeks if conflict continues.

Stop-start peace talks which began in January officially restarted again last week in Ethiopia, but the delegates have made little if any progress.

Heavy fighting was reported Sunday around the eastern town of Nasir in Jonglei state, a former rebel headquarters wrested back by the government last month.
Both government and rebels blamed the other for the fighting.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website