The United States has warned South Sudan leaders that they risk losing U.S. support if they do not participate in the IGAD-led revitalization forum.

The High-level Revitalization Forum was proposed last month to discuss full implementation of the Peace Agreement and develop a revised and realistic timeline.

It will also form implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transitional period.

The representative of the United States, Michele Sison, told the Security Council Thursday that the support for the Revitalization Forum demonstrated that international partners did not have confidence in South Sudan’s leaders to live up to the 2015 peace agreement.

“The United States expects that it will lead to a realistic and meaningful outcome,” Sison said.

“If South Sudan’s leaders do not participate in this high-level forum in good faith and stick to its deadlines, the United States will need to review our position and priorities on support for the peace agreement and its implementing bodies.”

Earlier this month, the Deputy Minister of Information said the Transitional Government will not renegotiate the peace agreement in the IGAD proposed Revitalization Forum.

Akol Paul Kordit said the government was only committed to the full implementation of the provisions in the agreement.

“Status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable”

Meanwhile, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said the success of revitalization forum would hinge on the degree to which the Government and opposition embraced it and committed to its implementation.

“The status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable,” El Ghassim Wane said. “A change in behavior is long overdue for the sake of the people of South Sudan and the pursuit of political objectives through violence should not be allowed to continue.”

He encouraged the Council to once again express full support for the process and to urge all stakeholders in South Sudan to embrace it.