EU calls for "genuine" peace talks on South Sudan

The European Union here on Thursday called for "genuine" peace negotiations on the South Sudan issue.

The call was made in a joint statement by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on South Sudan's "shattered hopes after four years of independence."

The country saw 20 months of bloody civil conflict since December 2013 which has brought terrible suffering and an ever increasing level of brutality targeted at civilians and children.

"The EU pledges its full support for the peace efforts being made and recognizes the steps to date. But it is too little and too slow," said the statement, adding, "The EU will continue to stand by the South Sudanese people and those who are acting for peace."

South Sudan's civil war and violence started in mid-December 2013. Political efforts so far have failed to bring an end to the conflict, and the outlook for the affected populations remains grim.

Recent weeks have seen an escalation in violence in Unity and Upper Nile states, with heavy fighting forcing tens of thousands of people to flee to the bush and swamplands, to areas that are difficult to reach.

Some 4.6 million face severe food insecurity and more than 600,000 have been forced to flee into neighboring countries, according to the statement.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said Tuesday that more than 730,000 South Sudanese are refugees and some 1.5 million have become internally displaced. Endit