The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr Workneh Gebeyehu has said he is extremely concerned with the recent violence and fighting in the Upper Nile and Jonglei states of South Sudan.
The violence that erupted since August has displaced nearly 50,000 people and left scores killed and properties looted or destroyed, said Gebeyehu in a statement issued on Monday.
He appealed for immediate de-escalation and an end to violence, saying it possess serious danger to peace, stability and humanitarian situation of South Sudan.
Gebeyehu called upon the South Sudanese leadership and the interim-government of President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar and other signatory parties to the Revitalized – Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to collectively voice their concern as a matter of urgency and appeal for calm and silence the guns and provide an immediate platform for dialogue to resolve any grievances that may have led to the violence.
Gebeyehu appealed to the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government to use their leverage to ensure that no entity or individual undermines the peace and stability of South Sudan.
The Executive Secretary thanked President William Ruto of Kenya for speaking with his South Sudanese counterpart to express his concerns and for offering the airlifting of food aid and medical supplies from Kenya to affected areas.
He appealed to humanitarian agencies to scale-up their intervention to reach displaced populations and all those who are in need of food aid and humanitarian assistance.
