UN official warns of precarious security situation in South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Thursday warned of a "precarious security situation" in South Sudan and asked the Security Council to remain vigilant.

"We remain gravely concerned about the precarious security situation prevailing in South Sudan. As the dry season sets in, we face the possibility that the military conflict will escalate, as well as intercommunal fighting," Lacroix told the Security Council.

"We cannot continue to stand by and watch. Now, more than ever, I urge this council to remain vigilant and exert more effort to condemn and stop the violence, protect civilians and urgently facilitate a political settlement of the conflict."

The economic crisis also continues to have serious repercussions for the security environment, he said.

He urged the Security Council to do more to seek a political settlement of the conflict. "Fighting cannot continue in tandem with efforts to craft a durable peace. The two are simply incompatible," he said. "I urge the council to redouble its efforts in support of the region and the ongoing political process."

He asked the Security Council to use all means necessary to demand a change of course from South Sudan's leaders and all parties to the conflict.

Shortly after its independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan plunged into civil war. Up to 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed since late 2013. More than 1.5 million people having fled to neighboring countries, more are internally displaced. Enditem