Dr Riek, President Kiir.

The IGAD mediators have appealed to the warring parties to ‘abandon the option of war’ and commit to a genuine process of peace and dialogue.

This comes after clashes erupted  in Unity State, mostly Bentiu and Rubkona, this week.

In a statement, IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan peace talks strongly condemned the action of SPLM-SPLA-In-Opposition forces to initiate conflict in the area of Bentiu, Unity State.

“The IGAD Envoys call on the forces of the SPLM/A (In Opposition) to immediately cease hostilities, for government forces to demonstrate restraint and for all parties to give peace a chance,” read the statement.

The IGAD envoys say the on-going fighting in and around Bentiu, reveals that the SPLM-SPLA In-Opposition has yet to abandon the option of war.

The statement further said this unfortunate development comes despite the significant progress in the peace talks where the parties took major steps forward in resolving their outstanding differences.