East Africa to impose sanctions on conflicting parties in South Sudan

East African nations have threatened to impose sanctions on South Sudan’s conflicting sides unless they resolve their differences peacefully and end “flagrant violations” of three agreements to end the hostilities.

The East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – a 7 nation bloc, accused South Sudan’s government and rebel forces of failing to honor accords signed on January 23, May 6 and May 9 and said they should “immediately” implement them. IGAD also urged both parties to allow humanitarian workers unhindered access to areas of the country affected by conflict.

Member states will take “further collective action to pressure any party who fails to honor its commitments,” the bloc said in an e-mailed statement today after a summit of regional leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. That action may include the “imposition of punitive measures.”

Conflict erupted in the oil-producing country on December 15 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup, a charge Machar denies. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes, and huge infrastructure projects that have been planned by the regional member states have been put on hold as a result.

The conflict has shut down about a third of the country’s oil production, reducing output to about 160,000 barrels per day.

Both Kiir and Machar yesterday agreed to complete talks on the formation of a transitional government of national unity within 60 days, according to the IGAD statement.

The bloc also welcomed a resolution authorizing peacekeepers in South Sudan to protect civilians. The force, which is set to increase to 12,500 personnel, will also monitor human rights and deliver humanitarian assistance.

IGAD’s member states include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Source: Bloomberg