France deplores failure to achieve peace in South Sudan

France on Monday said it deplored the failure by the warring parties in South Sudan to arrive at a peace settlement in the recent talks that ended last Friday in Ethiopia.
"France deplores the inability of the parties in the conflict in South Sudan to put an end to the suffering of millions of civilians who pay the price of these clashes," a Foreign Ministry statement said.
The fighting in South Sudan has caused tens of thousands of deaths and forced millions from their homes while several rounds of talks have failed to yield any progress.
"We renew our support for the mediation efforts of the African Union Inter-Governmental Authority to allow for a peaceful settlement," the French statement added.
Paris noted that the UN Security Council voted March 3 a resolution that sets out sanctions for those who seek to block peace in South Sudan or who threaten stability or security in that country.
"France will support all initiatives in this area," the Foreign Ministry said, noting that those who violate international humanitarian law or human rights will be brought to justice locally or in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.