Salva Kiir (L), President of South Sudan, and Riek Machar (R), SPLM
Opposition leader, hand over the Cessation of Hostilities treaty over
the war in South Sudan on May 9, 2014 in Addis Ababa. Rebels have
launched their largest offensive since the May truce. AFP
By AFP and ANDUALEM SISAY
In Summary
- Heavy shooting continued for a second day with rebel forces apparently in "firm control" of the centre.
South Sudan rebels and government troops battled
Monday over the strategic town of Nasir, the United Nations said, with
rebels launching their largest offensive since an oft-broken May truce.
Heavy shooting continued for a second day with
fighting continuing in the northern town and rebel forces apparently in
"firm control" of the centre, UN spokesman Joe Contreras said.
The United Nations warned Sunday that the fresh
rebel offensive "represents the most serious resumption of hostilities"
since President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, rebel leader Riek
Machar, met in May promising again to stick to a January ceasefire.
The United States condemned the rebel attack on
Nassir saying the town's residents "have suffered from frequent and
horrific acts of violence and human rights abuses since fighting broke
out in mid-December, causing widespread displacement and a worsening
humanitarian crisis as civilians fear returning to their homes."
"We call on both parties to immediately end all
such attacks and fully adhere to their ... commitments to cease
hostilities," deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a
statement.
She warned that "famine conditions" were looming
in some areas of the country, making it "increasingly urgent that both
parties immediately recommit themselves to inclusive, political
negotiations", recalling that leaders from both sides were on notice of
possible US sanctions for any human rights abuses or for threatening
peace.
AU and IGAD condemnation
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) have also strongly
condemned the attack by the rebels. Igad has been mediating the South
Sudan peace between Dr Machar's group and the government led by
President Salva Kiir.
"The attack is in violation of the recommitment
made by the parties, in Addis Ababa, on 9 May 2014, to fully comply with
the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement," said AUC chairperson Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma called on all the South Sudanese
parties, in particular the SPLM/A (in opposition), to fully comply with
all agreements they had signed and immediately return to the negotiating
table.
She also called on them to respect the integrity
of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), as well as to
guarantee the safety of its monitors, who have been deployed in various
locations in South Sudan, including in Nassir town.
Igad said: "This has also happened after 10th
June, 2014 Igad Summit, in which the two principals pledged to "end the
war now" and establish a transitional government within 60 days. While
the casualties of this attack are yet to be assessed, the mediation team
is saddened by the continued loss of lives, not only of combatants, but
of vulnerable groups like women and children."
Looming famine
More than seven months of war has left thousands
dead and displaced 1.5 million people, and aid agencies are warning of
famine if fighting continues. UNMISS, the UN mission, laid the blame for
the truce violation squarely with Machar's forces.
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