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Civil war in South Sudan is unacceptable: AU

Xinhua, July 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The resurgence of the civil war in South Sudan after more than two years of peace talks is totally unacceptable, said Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African Union Commission, on Wednesday.

Dlamini-Zuma observed that it is unfortunate that instead of the citizens of South Sudan celebrating their five years of independence, they are barricaded in their homes as others flee their country.

"We must begin to respect the lives of the people and should not tolerate leadership that has no regard for the people's lives," Dlamini-Zuma said during the ongoing 27th AU Summit held July 10-18 in Kigali, Rwanda.

She said that governments and leaderships exist to protect the vulnerable, to serve, but not to cause massive suffering to women and children.

"It is sad that this is happening when the cost of conflict management and peace is currently the largest single budget item of the AU yet these resources should be spent on promoting the African skills revolution, supporting young entrepreneurs and women farmers," she noted.

Fierce fighting broke out Friday between troops loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar.

More than 300 people were reportedly killed during days of fighting. On Monday evening, Kiir and Machar ordered respective ceasefire which appears to be holding until now. Endit