IGAD Chief Mediator for South Sudan Peace talks says the UN Security Council will impose sanctions on South Sudan, if the warring parties do not stop the conflict.

The 45-day-period given to the warring parties to reach an agreement on the formation of a transitional government ended this week, without a break-through.

Addressing a news conference in Addis Ababa , Ambassador Syeoum Mesfin, says they want an end to the conflict in South Sudan.

But he says sanctions may still be considered if peace is not achieved.

“…the international community is not bluffing. Truly IGAD is not bluffing, the African Union, we are not all bluffing. When the time comes, when we feel that there is no way that these people are heeding the call of their people and the international community that will definitely come.” Mesfin said.

The deputy chief mediator, General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, says they want the warring parties to reach an agreement that will be accepted by all the people of South Sudan.

“The issue here is that we want to be as inclusive as possible so that we do not just have the repeat of what has just happened, having only people talking to themselves and then eventually when they go back they disagree again, and they start fighting. We want the ownership of any agreement that it will be broadly acceptable by the people of the Republic of South Sudan.” He said.

It is expected that the IGAD heads of state will meet in Addis Ababa next week to decide on ho to continue with the process.