President William Ruto  wants the international community to quickly intervene in the ongoing new conflict in South Sudan.

Ruto, in a statement released on Saturday, December 24 said there was need to address unfolding humanitarian crisis in the world’s youngest nation.

“As the world ushers in the festive season, which comes with hope for humanity, I note with great concern the escalation of hostilities in neighboring South Sudan between the signatories to the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

“The increasing insecurity, violence, displacement, and unfolding humanitarian crisis are detrimental to the peace and stability of South Sudan and the East Africa region as a whole,” Ruto said.

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Ruto noted that women and children are suffering due to shortage of basic needs.

“Women and children bear the greatest brunt of the hostilities in the Upper Nile and Jonglei States and are in desperate need of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies.

“Regrettably, the widening political division is impairing any hopes for the resumption in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” he stated.

He added: “As a neighbour and guarantor of the South Sudan peace process, I, on behalf of Kenya, bring these concerning developments to the attention of the wider international community and call for a focus on immediate intervention geared towards de-escalation, peaceful resolution, and coexistence among the parties involved.”

Called South Sudan Leader

The President said he has already called President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan to do all what he can to end the tension.

“Deeply disturbed by the evolving situation in South Sudan, I have today, the 24. of December 2022, spoken with my counterpart H.E. General Salva Kiir Mayardit, and strongly implored him -in concert with all parties involved- to deploy their best efforts to lead the country from the brink and back to a path of durable peace as envisioned in the R-ARCSS.

“I further urged H.E. General Salva Kiir Mayardit to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected communities,” he said.

The President added that his government has begun to send food and medical supplies donations to the most affected regions in Upper Nile and Jonglei States.

“Conscious of the resulting humanitarian situation and in the spirit of good neighborliness and ethos of this season, I have directed that a shipment of foodstuff and essential medical supplies be immediately airlifted to Upper Nile and Jonglei States.

“Equally, I implore the international community to urgently provide all possible and relevant assistance to the Government of South Sudan to enable it to address this dire situation and return to the path of the peace process,” he stated.

Fighting erupted in the Upper Nile village of Tonga on 15 August. Violence has since spread further to northern parts of Jonglei and Unity states.

And currently, conflict is spreading through Upper Nile’s Fashoda county, threatening the town of Kodok.