The United States warned leaders in South Sudan on Thursday that they risk losing U.S. support if they don’t participate in a high-level forum and stick to deadlines for a cease-fire and political process to end their civil war. U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Revitalization Forum being organized by the regional group IGAD is “the last chance” for salvaging the August 2015 peace agreement. “The United States expects that it will lead to a realistic and meaningful outcome,” Sison said. Sison said the Security Council has listened to promises from South Sudan’s leaders “that they will finally get serious about pursuing peace” but nothing has changed and people continue to flee the fighting. Ambassador Nikki Haley also urged the council to impose an arms embargo and additional sanctions on South Sudan to pressure the parties to end the civil war in the world’s newest nation — but Russia and China remain opposed.

Source: National Post July 20, 2017 21:21 UTC