KIGALI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The people of South Sudan need to hear the region and the world speak with one voice to end this mindless violence, the UN chief Ban Ki-Moon said.
In a speech to an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the sidelines of Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Summit in Kigali on Saturday, Ban said now is the time for 'decisive and collective action.'
Renewed fighting in South Sudan past week left at least 300 dead and more than 42,000 displaced.
In attendance at the IGAD meeting were Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Ismail Omar of Djibouti, Sheikh Hassan of Somalia and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Others were Chad President Idriss Deby, the AU chairperson, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, South Africa's Jacob Zuma and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the IGAD chairperson.
South Sudan was represented by Foreign Minister Deng Alor and Presidential Advisor Niyal Deng.
"I welcome the strong condemnation of the fighting and ceasefire violations by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the IGAD Council of Ministers. I thank you for calling on the South Sudanese leaders to assume their responsibility and subject individuals who undermine the peace process to stern measures, including targeted sanctions," Ban said.
The IGAD summit concurred with Ban's three-pronged approach to addressing the South Sudan crisis.
These include an immediate arms embargo on South Sudan, additional targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders working to unravel the peace process and to fortify the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The Secretary-General had earlier made the same recommendations to the Security Council last week.
Ban said Saturday he had spoken with South Sudan First Vice President Riek Machar and the Special Envoy of President Kiir, as well as with some leaders of the region.
"I urged them to do everything in their power to bring about an immediate cessation of hostilities and recommit to the implementation of the peace agreement," he said.
The Secretary-General earlier met with President Kagame and discussed various issues.
"The Secretary-General and President Kagame expressed deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in South Sudan, its impact on the civilian population and consequences for the peace process. They called on the South Sudanese leadership to demonstrate the commitment required to bring to an end the tragedy unfolding in their country and fulfill their people's aspirations to peace, security and reconciliation," a statement said.
Ban and Kagame agreed on the need and urgency of renewed international engagement to advance the quest for peace in South Sudan.
The UN chief emphasized the importance for the African Union, IGAD and leaders in the region to provide collective and concerted support to the efforts of the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, former President Festus Mogae, and the African Union High Representative for South Sudan, former President Alpha Konaré."
