SA concerned about violence in South Sudan: Ramaphosa
South Africa has raised concerns about the violence in South Sudan and called on leaders in that country to continue on the path of consolidating "hard won peace".
A statement from the Presidency on Tuesday said: "South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa joined President Jacob Zuma and the international community in expressing serious concerns regarding the recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Deputy President Ramaphosa is the Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma to South Sudan".
The statement issued by Ronnie Mamoepa, the spokesman for the SA deputy President, said the recent outbreak of violence had resulted in the loss of lives in that country.
"We condemn this outbreak of violence in the strongest terms possible and call for the immediate restoration of peace in the country,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
“We know and know too well the burden of pain and sorrow that war has brought to bear upon the majority of the people of South Sudan over the past few years.
"We call on the leadership of South Sudan to take the necessary steps to end the current conflict and to ensure the country remains on course towards the consolidation of the hard-won peace."
Ramaphosa said South Africa welcomed the resolution of the Extra-Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers held on Monday 11 July 2016 in Nairobi Kenya for an immediate ceasefire and the call on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to assume their responsibility and to take immediate measures to prevail upon their respective military leaders and to end the fighting. - ANA