New York, December 3, 2014 (SSNA) — The United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Samantha Power, has on Wednesday met with South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, and warned him that UN’s sanctions on anyone who impedes the ongoing peace talks or peace process will soon come to light, adding that warring sides must find a peaceful solution to the conflict, the Associated Press (AP) has reported.
The AP also reported that the warning took place during a face-to-face meeting between Ambassador Power and Minister Marial.
Last week, South Sudanese president Salva kiir sent to the United State, a seven members team led by his Foreign affairs Minister, Dr. Dr. Barnaba Marial. The advance team includes the Minister in the office of president, Awan Wol Riak, Deng Deng Nhial, among others.
The team is tasked by the presidency to lobby the US government against the looming UN sanctions currently being developed by the UN Security Council.
The United States has publicly stated that it supports the sanctions.
In late November, South Sudan warned against sanctions, asserting that any imposition of sanction will derail the peace process.
South Sudan is in the midst of civil war after fighting broke out in December last year. A bout two million South Sudanese have fled their homes and tens of thousands of people have been killed.