The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) held its 410th meeting on the situation in South Sudan, expressing grave concern over the situation in South Sudan, the pan-African bloc said Wednesday. The council warned an escalating crisis in South Sudan, which has evolved from a political dispute to an armed conflict, with the prospect of rapidly deteriorating further into ethnic clashes and a full-fledged civil war. It expressed Africa's deep dismay and disappointment that the continent's newest nation should descend so rapidly into internal strife, and at the failure of political leaders in the country to live up to the hopes and aspirations of their citizens and to respond to the goodwill and solidarity expressed by Africa and the rest of the international community. The council voiced special alarm at the escalation of ethnic mobilization by belligerents, and emphasized that such mobilization of ethnic forces has the potential of causing untold human suffering, tearing apart the social fabric of South Sudan in a manner that causes irreparable societal division and damage. It strongly condemned the attacks against innocent civilians, including the targeting of ethnic groups and other communities, as well as other violations of human rights, notably against women, children and other vulnerable groups. It condemned the attack against a camp of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Dec. 19 in Akobo, which resulted in the death of two peacekeepers. The council called on the rival sides in South Sudan to act in a spirit of patriotism and vision for the greater national interest.