Oxfam reacts to failure of South Sudan's leaders to reach an agreement

In response to the failure of the leaders of South Sudan to reach an agreement at the IGAD peace talks in Addis Ababa, Oxfam South Sudan Country Director Zlatko Gegic said:

"The people of South Sudan continue to suffer in this man-made crisis, with 2.5 million people at risk of severe hunger by the end of this month, and no end in sight as this process yet again fails to deliver peace. For communities across South Sudan, this was a critical opportunity to begin peace, and that opportunity has been missed. 

"Over a year of talks has not delivered justice for the people of South Sudan - real, lasting peace will require far more than any power sharing deal between political and military elites. Regional leaders and the international community have an important role to play in achieving a lasting peace. There has been ample time for these talks to have been truly inclusive, yet these opportunities have been wasted.

"There needs to be a broad based consultative process inside South Sudan that allows women, youth, civil society and the country’s diverse ethnic groups to have a say in the future of their country. Without this, there can be no just and long-term peace.

"The leaders of South Sudan must work to reconcile communities who are in desperate need of healing, and to improve the way the country is governed. Now is the time to reform security, political and economic systems to ensure people feel safer, to deliver justice and accountability, and to share South Sudan’s wealth and resources equally so they benefit all, and not just those who control power,” Mr Gegic said.