The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said he was “shocked and appalled” by the fighting currently taking place in Juba and demanded president Salva Kiir and first vice president Riek Machar stop the violence.
Hundreds have died since Friday as SPLA and SPLA-IO fight in the South Sudanese capital city.
“This senseless violence is unacceptable and has the potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process,” Ban said.
“I strongly urge President Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar to do everything within their power to de-escalate the hostilities immediately and to order their respective forces to disengage and withdraw to their bases,” Ban continued.
“They must take decisive action to regain control of the security situation in Juba; prevent the spread of violence to other parts of the country; guarantee the safety and security of civilians, United Nations and other personnel; and genuinely commit themselves to the full implementation of the peace agreement.”
The top UN official said he was deeply frustrated that the fighting continues despite verbal commitments by South Sudan’s leaders.
Ban noted that UN compounds including protection of civilians sites have been caught in crossfire during the fighting.