South Sudan Ambassador to the UN has cautioned the United Nations Security Council that imposing sanctions on the country would harden achievement of peace.

Francis Deng told the council yesterday that the international community can play a positive role by engaging both parties constructively to speed up the peace process.

Amb Deng blamed the slow pace of the peace talks to what he calls ‘frequent adjournments by the IGAD mediators’.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Mawien Makol seconded Amb Deng’s remarks, saying sanctions would not help the government’s effort in attaining peace.

“Sanctions will not help the government’s efforts for peace, and therefore South Sudan needs help from neighboring countries and the other countries so that peace process will progress well,” Amb Makol stated.

“So, what Francis said is really good because imposing sanctions will not help instead it will increase crisis and bring war in the country and it will make our people suffer.”

The European Union and the United States have already imposed bilateral sanctions for frequent breaches of a first peace agreement signed in January.