Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn says his country will continue playing a leading role in ensuring sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Ethiopia has been seeking persistently alternatives to peace and resolutions to the crisis by bringing together the leaders and foreign ministers of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD states.

Prime Minister Dessalegn, who is also the chairman of the Assembly of the IGAD heads of state says Ethiopia has also contributed its share to consolidate peace by deploying peace keeping forces in the country.

Speaking in Addis Ababa on Monday, Mr. Dessalegn said Ethiopia will continue exerting its efforts until the problem of South Sudan gets lasting solution.

The Prime Minister further said the efforts of his country and neighboring countries can be successful when the parties to the conflict in South Sudan are committed.

Prime Minister Dessalegn urged the parties to the conflict to show commitment for the realization of the peace effort.

Last week Ethiopia hosted an extra-ordinary summit of the heads of state of IGAD to assess the situation in South Sudan.

The regional leaders agreed to deploy a protection force into the country for protection of civilians, humanitarian aid workers and the members of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, a body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement.

Over 300 people were killed following the recent violence that broke out in Juba on the 8th of July.