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Renewed violence in South Sudan jeopardizes peace talks

"No party should use these latest attacks as an excuse not to engage in the peace process," the U.S. said in response to violent unrest in South Sudan.

By JC Finley
Civilians seek protection after fighting broke out in Juba, the capital of South Sudan on December 16, 2013. (UPI/UNMISS/George Mindruta)
Civilians seek protection after fighting broke out in Juba, the capital of South Sudan on December 16, 2013. (UPI/UNMISS/George Mindruta)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Renewed unrest in South Sudan after weeks of calm is now threatening peace talks between the government and rebel leaders.

Both sides blamed each other for initiating the violence in Unity State, with conflicting claims of who was in control of the oil hub.

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Lul Ruia Koang, a spokesman for the rebel army, blamed the government for initiating the attacks earlier in the week, and told Bloomberg on Wednesday that rebels were "currently in control of Bentiu."

According to South Sudanese military spokesman Col. Philip Auger, rebel fighters launched an attack on Bentiu on Wednesday, with clashes continuing into Thursday. He told the Wall Street Journal that government forces were able to repel the rebel advance and had retaken control of Bentiu.

The International Crisis Group warned Wednesday that "Warring parties in South Sudan's civil war are preparing for major offensives as seasonal rains ease" and that the "Renewed conflict is likely to be accompanied by widespread displacement, atrocity crimes and famine."

Violence broke out in South Sudan on December 15, 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his fired deputy, Riek Machar, of attempting a coup. Fighting between forces loyal to the two men has continued since December 2013, with the political dispute devolving into an ethnic conflict. More than 10,000 have died and an estimated 1.8 million have been displaced.

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Despite nine months of peace negotiations mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, armed conflict persists. The United Nations has advised both sides to cease fighting and to abide by a power-sharing agreement, warning that it will otherwise face U.N. sanctions.

IGAD mediators and the U.S. Department of State expressed their frustration with the recent outbreak of violence and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

IGAD's Special Envoys for South Sudan urged both sides "to immediately cease hostilities, for government forces to demonstrate restraint and for all parties to give peace a chance." The East African mediators said the renewed violence was an "unfortunate development" that comes at a time of "significant progress in the peace talks."

"As the conflict persists and the humanitarian crisis continues to reach even more appalling levels, it is more urgent than ever to respect previous agreements to end the hostilities, cease the recruitment and mobilization of forces, including that of child soldiers, and engage earnestly in inclusive negotiations," said State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.

"No party should use these latest attacks as an excuse not to engage in the peace process or not to work in good faith to negotiate all necessary elements of a sustainable political transition, achieve a sustainable peace and restore national unity."

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