JUBA: UN Security Council envoys said yesterday they had little hope of a swift end to South Sudan’s eight-month long conflict, despite threatening sanctions during meetings with the warring leaders.
“We did not hear much from them that gave us hope that there will be rapid agreement,” in peace talks, British ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told reporters, describing discussions with leaders as “disappointing.”
Envoys met with President Salva Kiir in Juba, and held talks via a video link with rebel chief Riek Machar.
“Both said that they recognise that there was no military solution to the crisis, but the two positions remain far apart,” Grant said. “What we are seeing is the failure of leadership in the country, the leaders are at war with each other,” he added, speaking before the 15-member council left South Sudan at the end of a two-day visit.
The UN has said the food crisis is the “worst in the world”, with aid workers warning of famine within weeks if conflict continues.
Thousands of people have been killed and more than 1.5 million have fled civil war sparked by a power struggle between Kiir and his sacked deputy Machar, with battles between government troops, mutinous soldiers and ragtag militia forces divided by tribe.
AFP
