Kerry repeats US concern over south Sudan's political situation

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that he had phone talks with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit to repeat Washington's concern about the situation in Juba ensuing from the president's sacking of his cabinet. In their phone conversation on Friday, Kerry said he urged Kiir to form a new government "quickly and transparently" in a manner that respects South Sudan's transitional constitution and reflects the diversity of its people. Kiir sacked Vice President Riek Machar and the rest of his cabinet on Tuesday following a said power struggle, raising concerns from the U.S. and others about stability in the oil-rich nation just two years after it won independence from Sudan. Kerry also raised the "deeply disturbing" violence and worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan's Jonglei State, urging Kiir to act quickly to protect civilians and end ethnically-motivated violence there. "The United States will remain a steady partner to those who aspire to stand on the side of democracy, justice, respect for human rights, and who work for the brighter future the South Sudanese people deserve," he said in a statement.