Big News Network.com Wednesday 1st January, 2014
JUBA, South Sudan - The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has called for an end to fighting in the country, and for peace talks to be given a chance even as President Salva Kiir has declared a state of emergency in two states.
Hilde Johnson, who heads the U.N. mission to South Sudan, said she wanted to see both parties "take a decisive step to cease all hostilities" starting Wednesday.
"We want to make this day the day that the violence stops," she told a news conference in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.
Johnson said the humanitarian situation was worsening.
At least 1,000 people have died since fighting erupted last month between supporters of President Kiir and those of his sacked deputy Riek Machar.
Both sides have sent delegations to talks in Ethiopia but so far the rebels have not agreed to end hostilities.
Kiir declared a state of emergency Wednesday ahead of peace talks to stop the latest violence in the country.
Kiir issued the declaration for the states of Unity and Jonglei, which include the rebel-held towns of Bor and Benitu, the scene of recent fighting and scores of civilian deaths.
State radio also reported that Kiir ordered the formation of a negotiating team to take part in the peace talks in Ethiopia. The government delegation includes key opposition figures, as required in the presidential decree, state radio reported.
Hilde Johnson, who heads the U.N. mission to South Sudan, said she wanted to see both parties "take a decisive step to cease all hostilities" starting Wednesday.
"We want to make this day the day that the violence stops," she told a news conference in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.
A cessation of hostilities between their forces is expected to top the agenda at Addis Ababa, home of the African Union, for peace talks after two weeks of violence.
Johnson said it was too early to say if the move was a breakthrough, "but it is a step in the right direction."
The African Union has set up a group to investigate human rights abuses, Johnson said, which met for the first time Tuesday.
She stressed the need for people to be held accountable for their actions, and for a community-based reconciliation process to run alongside the peace talks.
"There has been killing and brutality, we have seen killing on ethnic grounds. We need to do everything to prevent the cycle of violence," Johnson said. "I condemn elements on both sides."
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African trade bloc that has been helping to mediate between the battling parties, has said an independent body is needed to monitor any cease-fire, Johnson said.
Leaders of the bloc warned Friday that they would "take action" to stop the conflict if South Sudan's warring factions didn't lay down their arms.
She said the conflict had its roots in "a political struggle that needs a political solution" and called for "a major effort of national reconciliation" to address the historical reasons for current divisions.
Talks between the two sides in Ethiopia are due to begin on either Wednesday or Thursday.
Kiir confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that a 14-member delegation had left for Ethiopia.
Observers say the discussions are likely to be complicated, as the two sides will have to agree on a mechanism to monitor a ceasefire.
Kiir has already ruled out any power-sharing arrangement with Machar in the longer term.
Machar claimed his delegation would be headed by Rebecca Nyandeng, the widow of John Garang, who led South Sudanese rebel forces against Khartoum for many years - though she later denied this in a BBC interview.
As a Dinka, Nyandeng would help Machar challenge the allegation that the rebellion is primarily from his Nuer ethnic group.
Machar's forces are a mix of mutinous soldiers loyal to him and an ethnic militia called the "white army", known for putting white ash onto their bodies as a kind of war-paint and insect repellent.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has become involved in mediation
On Monday, Museveni threatened the rebels with military action if they failed to agree to a ceasefire by the end of Tuesday.
South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict.
share this story reader comments