adminEast African nations have approved a resolution allowing 5 500 troops into South Sudan to end over a month of fierce fighting that has devastated the world’s youngest nation.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed said yesterday that the Security Council within the East African regional bloc of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), approved sending a military force to the violence-torn South Sudan.
“Some countries have already agreed to send troops, others are considering,” said Mohamed. The foreign minister initially stated that Kenya would be willing to send troops, however, she later said a decision on the matter has not yet been made.
Up to 10 000 people are believed to have been killed so far in the violent clashes between the Sudanese government and rebel forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, who was dismissed from office last July.
IGAD is mediating deadlocked talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to cease the conflict in which, the United Nations says, atrocities have been committed by both sides, including mass killings and widespread destruction.
The announcement of a military force for South Sudan comes as a draft IGAD ceasefire accord presented to peace delegates meeting in Addis Ababa has urged both sides of the conflict to sign the deal to end “all military actions,” which began on December 15, 2013.
The draft also specifically underlines that both sides must “refrain from attacks on the civilian population,” including summary executions, use of child soldiers as well as “rape, sexual abuse and torture”.
Violence erupted in South Sudan on December 15, 2013, after President Salva Kiir accused militia forces headed by Machar of attempting to stage a coup. Machar denied the accusations. — Press TV.
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