Arab League worried over developments in South Sudan

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit voiced worry over the clashes that took place in South Sudan between the forces of former rivals President Salva Kiir and vice president Riek Machar near the presidential residence in the capital, Juba, where the leaders were meeting for talks. 

In a statement released on Monday, Arab League Spokesman Mahmoud Afifi said escalation of violence and clashes in several areas in South Sudan and the capital Juba would have serious consequences in the short run.

He also asserted the necessity that the conflicting parties abide by the peace deal signed in August 2015 that ended the civil war that broke out in 2013 and resulted in the formation of a government under President Salva Kiir. 

The spokesman also urged all parties to exercise self restraint and stop all hostilities in light of their negative impact on the humanitarian conditions in the country and the displacement of large number of people.

Clashes between the forces of former rivals President Salva Kiir and vice president Riek Machar began for unknown reasons on Thursday and continued on Friday. Gunfire erupted near the presidential residence in the capital, Juba, where the leaders were meeting for talks. Witnesses later reported seeing corpses on the lawn. 

Both leaders said they did not know what had triggered the fighting between their factions and called for calm.

At least 115 killed in clashes on the anniversary of country's fifth independence day.

Source: MENA