Leaders of South Sudan have allowed their personal ambitions to jeopardize the future of an entire nation, the UN chief has said, marking the one year anniversary of the South Sudan conflict.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon confirmed that tens of thousands of South Sudanese have died, 1.9 million people have been displaced by the conflict, and millions more have become vulnerable to food insecurity, his press office said in a statement.
"I am dismayed and saddened that the parties have yet to reach a comprehensive peace agreement," Ban expressed.
The UN official called for an immediate stop to the killing, as this is tragic and unacceptable.
The very premise of the country's independence struggle - a new beginning that was supposed to be founded on tolerance, good governance, accountability and unity - is disappearing, he said.
Ban once again called on the leadership of both sides to agree to an inclusive, power sharing arrangement to begin a transitional phase of governance that will address both the root causes of the conflict and ensure accountability for the crimes committed over the past year.
They must end the culture of impunity if reconciliation and a sustainable peace are to be achieved, he added.
The UN Chief called on the international community to put its collective weight behind the peace process led by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development and I commend the African Union Peace and Security Council for creating a Heads of State ad-hoc committee for this purpose, the statement noted.
The United Nations will remain fully engaged in support of the the peace process, the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian assistance, it affirmed.