UN holds Kenya, Uganda accountable for fueling conflict in South Sudan

Several peace seeking meetings have been held occasionally between the leaders of the UN and IGAD, with the rebels and the Government of South Sudan in a bid to discuss ways of ending the five year old civil war in the East Central African country.

Unfortunately, all the solutions that have always been made, have been neglected by the fighting parties in South Sudan, hence the conflict going on, and claiming thousands of lives and migrations.

Currently, according to the sources, one of the UN officials has intensified the call to an end to violence in South Sudan. The official states that with his observation, Uganda and Kenya are the two countries behind the fueling of the seeming to be unending conflict in South Sudan.

Adama Dieng, the U.N. secretary-general’s special adviser dealing in the prevention of genocide, informed journalists in South Sudan on Monday that Uganda and Kenya are contributing to the conflict.

‘Although the responsibility is to protect the population in South Sudan, the timely responsibility lies with the South Sudan government. The responsibility to prevent atrocities is regional and international,’ Dieng said.

He added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition are flowing into South Sudan through Kenya and Uganda.

‘International partners have to start targeting the accomplices, intermediaries of the South Sudanese parties as a way to help end the conflict,’ he stressed.

The U.N. diplomat also said that ending the civil war in South Sudan will only be successful “if we have concerted regional and international efforts to leave no further options to the South Sudanese leaders to stop and start negotiating.”

‘Now is the time to close any possibilities of alternatives,’ Dieng said, ‘the continuation of fighting should not be left out as a possible option. And we need IGAD, AU Peace and Security, and the U.N. Security Council to come together and take concerted action now.’

Additionally, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson AU, said on Sunday that “the time has come” to impose sanctions on individuals blocking peace in South Sudan, and the statement puts Uganda and Kenya in the picture – reported.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, warned countries of the IGAD regional bloc against taking sides in South Sudan’s internal affairs.

On the other side, speaking to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the African Union Heads of State summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the President of Uganda informed that South Sudan should hold elections for them to acquire the peace and stability they are yearning for.

‘It is the population which can hold leaders accountable. They should hold elections for this to happen,’ stressed Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda.

Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu