Washington, DC, March 3, 2015 (SSNA) — The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has criticized South Sudan’s warring sides for what he described as leadership failure.
Kerry, who is reported to be in favor of UN corrective measures against South Sudan also called on South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar to secure an immediate and inclusive accord to end the war.
In a public statement, Kerry accused President Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Machar of failing to make necessary concessions to stop the ongoing civil war.
“Both President Kiir and Riek Machar have promised time and again that they would negotiate a transitional government under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) process, but have failed to make the compromises needed,” Kerry said in a statement published on U.S. State Department website.
“The parties have until March 5 to secure an agreement that is inclusive, that initiates a broad range of transitional reforms and that ensures those responsible for human rights abuses are held to account,” he added.
The US top diplomat also said South Sudan’s government failed to protect and serve its citizens.
“Legitimacy is not a presumed right of any government. It is conferred by the people, and it is sustained only by demonstrating leadership to protect and serve all citizens—responsibilities the government has neglected,” Kerry said.
Secretary Kerry further disclosed that the United States and the international community will take action to punish those who are not willing to make “difficult decisions” for the sake of peace.
The United States spearheaded an international campaign which forced leaders of South and North Sudan to sign the Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and secured South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011.