UN security council welcomes IGAD efforts to resolve South Sudan crisis peacefully

The UN Security Council has reiterated its strong support for the mediation efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), and welcomed the appointment of the IGAD mediation team chaired by Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin ( Ethiopia), as they seek a peaceful settlement to the crisis in South Sudan.The Council welcomed IGAD statement reflecting the political detainees’ support for talks on an unconditional cessation of hostilities and their position that their detention should not be an impediment to reaching agreement on a cessation of hostilities.The members of the Security Council underlined their demand for President Salva Kiir, former Vice-President Riek Machar and other political leaders to demonstrate leadership by immediately agreeing to a cessation of hostilities and commencing a broader dialogue as proposed in the mediation efforts under way by IGAD in Addis Ababa.They also urged Machar, in particular, to move forward and agree to a cessation of hostilities without precondition. They requested the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, in particular President Kiir, to release all political leaders currently detained in order to create an environment conducive to a successful dialogue.The members of the Security Council demanded an immediate end to all human rights violations and abuses and stressed that those responsible will be held accountable. They welcomed and encouraged the important efforts of UNMISS to monitor, investigate, verify and report on human rights violations and abuses. They also welcomed the African Union Peace and Security Council’s (AUPSC) 30 December 2013 decision to establish a commission of investigation to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South Sudanese communities. The members of the Security Council noted the 30 December 2013 AUPSC communiqu? expressing the AUPSC’s intent to take appropriate measures against all those who incite people to violence, undermine the protection mandate of UNMISS, and carry out acts of violence against civilians and unarmed combatants.