UN chief tells South Sudan leaders to prioritize peace

UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon has called on South Sudan leaders to move beyond rhetoric and respect the terms of the signed August 2015 peace agreement to end more than 21 months of conflict.

Ban who arrived in South Sudan on Thursday after visiting crisis-stricken Burundi and DR Congo stressed that implementing the peace deal must be a matter of priority for the government, including the urgent formation of a transitional government.

"My message to the leaders of South Sudan is clear: put peace above politics. Pursue compromise. Overcome obstacles. Establish the Transitional Government of National Unity. And do not delay it," Ban told journalists late on Thursday.

"The parties must know that responsibility does not end with the signing of an agreement. In many ways, it begins with the signing of agreement. And it must begin now," he added.

The UN chief who was on his fourth visit to the world's youngest nation said South Sudanese have suffered decades of bloody civil war, yet over the last two years the nightmare has returned with vengeance killings, rape, children forced to become soldiers, massive human rights violations and epic corruption.

Over 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes while 200,000 people are being protected in UN camps.

He said the humanitarian and economic situation in the country continues to plummet, noting that more than 1.3 billion U.S. dollars is needed to address current needs of over 5 million South Sudanese this year alone.

"I commend humanitarians for their work and courage. Despite assurances for safe and unhindered access in the peace agreement, aid workers continue to be targeted. At least 45 aid workers have been killed over the last two years and many more are missing," Ban decried.

He urged all parties to remove restrictions on the freedom of movement of the United Nations and humanitarian actors and ensure access to people in need of protection, and life-saving aid.

"I am announcing that the United Nations will allocate 21 million dollars from our Central Emergency Response Fund for the people of South Sudan. These much needed resources will provide protection and relief when it is needed most," Ban said.

He commended the work and courage of aid workers and peacekeepers who have increasingly come under attack from both sides to the conflict and cautioned that such attacks like the civilian killings at the UN camp in Malakal violate international human rights and law.

The UN chief said South Sudan's Humanitarian Response Plan is only three per cent funded and urged the international community to show its commitment to the country's people.

He urged the international community to do much more to prevent and end conflict of all international norms, ensure accountability, reduce displacement and invest to enhance resilience. Enditem