An imposition of sanctions on the country is not in the interest of the citizens of South Sudan, Community Empowerment Organization has said.

This comes after the United States proposed to the UN Security Council imposition of sanctions against the leaders of South Sudan due to the ongoing fighting between the warring parties.

CEPO Executive Director Edmond Yakani welcomes only individual sanctions, saying they may lead to peace in the country.

“First we have to see the type of sanction. If it is sanctions against the state, it will not help us; it will not help people and is not in the interest of the people because we have seen the experiment in Sudan,” Mr Yakani said.

“When the sanctions were imposed against the state, the ordinary person who doesn’t have any relation with the politics was affected.

“But if the sanctions are imposed against individuals, we are welcoming it because it can open a corridor or door for dialogue.”

President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar are expected to meet at the extra-ordinary summit of IGAD heads of state and government in Addis Ababa.

Mr Yakani believes that the expected meeting between the two party leaders in Addis Ababa may produce a positive outcome for peace.

“Their presence together or meeting between both of them can help break down barriers because their personal influence in the negotiations is more than negotiations in the form of a group.”