IGAD condems South Sudan clashes, calls for ceasefire
Jul 12, 2016
The fighting which broke out Friday in the capital Juba has left about 300 people dead
1st Vice President Riek Machar (L) delivers a speech flanked by President Salva Kiir (C) and Vice President James Wani Igga (R) prior to the shooting outside the presidential palace in Juba. AFP Photo
The Intergovernmental Agency for Development (IGAD) has called for an immediate ceasefire by the warring factions in South Sudan to allow peace prevail.
"We urge President Salva Kiir and first Vice President Dr. Reik Machar, to assume their responsibility and take immediate measures to prevail upon their respective military leaders and stop the fighting that continues unabated in Juba and may soon escalate to other areas in south Sudan," the IGAD statement read in part.
According to a statement, the IGAD council of ministers meeting in Nairobi also wants an immediate return of all armed forces and weapons to their barracks, re-opening of the Juba international Airport to be protected by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and opening of humanitarian corridors.
In the strongest terms, IGAD condemned the eruption of the gun fights between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and opposition (SPLA-LO) in Juba and the huge loss of lives and causalities, as well as destruction of properties that still continues unabated.
The IGAD council of ministers, held its 56th extraordinary summit in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday under the chairmanship of Dr. Tedros Adhanom, the minister of foreign affairs for Ethiopia, and the chairperson of the IGAD council of ministers.
At least 3000 displaced women, men and children taking shelter at the UN compound in Tomping area in Juba. AFP Photo
The fighting which broke out on Friday last week in the capital Juba has left about 300 people including security officers dead.
On Friday, President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar issued a joint statement calling for calm, after the fighting which began outside the presidential compound where Kiir and Machar were meeting and soon spread through the city.
Despite, the call for calm, gun fighting has continued to escalate, claiming lives.
Calm had been restored on Saturday, the day South Sudan was to celebrate its fifth independence day, but was shattered by heavy gunfire on Sunday morning.