1st LD Writethru-Roundup: Resurge of violence in South Sudan is totally unacceptable, AU

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 Sudancelebrating 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.

She said that while there is no resources to buy food for the hunger and medicine for children, it's unacceptable that political leaders in the country have resources to buy weapons that they use in causing havoc to the vulnerable citizens.

"We must strive to honor a pledge and stop war and conflicts to future generations of Africans and silence guns by 2020," she noted.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) almost 36,000 people have been displaced since the fighting that flared yet again.

The agency said that some 7,000 internally displaced people have sought shelter in the UN's bases in Juba.

Dlamini-Zuma called on governments to intervene in conflict situations before they escalate into violence and ensure that democracy and human rights are promoted.

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.

The AU is holding its 27th ordinary summit in Kigali Rwanda, which is being attended by representatives from the 54 member states. Endit