IGAD calls emergency meeting over South Sudan violence

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has now organised an emergency meeting in Nairobi to discuss the security situation in South Sudan.

This comes after heavy fighting broke out in the new nation over the weekend, even as the country marked its 5th Independence Day.

Reports indicate that over 200 people have lost their lives so far in the violence.

According to CNN, the weekend violence erupted when President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar were meeting to discuss previous clashes between their forces. A gun battle erupted outside the presidential compound where the meeting took place.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has since called for an end to renewed fighting in South Sudan.

President Uhuru says he has been in touch with President Salva Kiir, and has appealed to him and his First Vice President Riek Machar to bring an end to the violence.

The Head of State has urged his South Sudan counterpart to work closely with Kiir and second VP James Wani Igga to resolve the crisis that threatens to take Africa’s youngest nation back to an all-out civil war.

The Head of State now wants heavy weaponry and large contingencies soldiers moved away from civilian areas to avert arm to them, assuring of Kenya’s readiness to support such efforts.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 after 98% of the population voted to break away from Sudan.

The East African nation, the youngest country in the world, quickly fell into civil war that took on ethnic undertones.