South Sudan risks civil war, Obama warns

By FAITH RONOH

US President Barack Obama has warned that South Sudan is on a precipice of civil war following the ongoing clashes.

In a statement sent to newsrooms by the US Embassy to Kenya, President Obama said: “South Sudan stands at the precipice. Recent fighting threatens to plunge South Sudan back into the dark days of its past.”

Obama said South Sudan leaders have a choice to end violence and work to resolve tensions peacefully and democratically.

“Fighting to settle political scores or to destabilise the government must stop immediately. Inflammatory rhetoric and targeted violence must cease,” he said. He advised that all sides must listen to the wise counsel of their neighbors, commit to dialogue and take immediate steps to ensure calm and reconciliation.

“South Sudan leaders must recognise that compromise with one’s political enemy is difficult; but recovering from unchecked violence and unleashed hatred will prove much harder,” he added.