EU threatens South Sudan with sanctions

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The EU Wednesday warned South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and former vice president turned rebel leader Riek Machar that if they continue to violate the ceasefire mechanism or fail to finalise a political agreement, appropriate sanctions will need to be adopted by the international community.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in a statement lamented that despite the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on February 2 between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, little significant progress has been made towards a comprehensive peace agreement in South Sudan. "The conflict that broke out over a year ago has been a disaster for the people of South Sudan and has put at risk the stability of the entire region. "Leaders of all groups and parties should go beyond short-term interests and build on the initial talks to make the necessary compromises for peace, for the benefit of all the people of South Sudan," she stated.

It is essential, stressed Mogherini, that the current negotiations are completed no later than March 5.

The EU supports the IGAD-led (Intergovernmental Authority on Development ) process and encourages a closer involvement of the international community, she added.