The chairman of IGAD is urging the UN Security Council to take strong measures against the warring parties in South Sudan if they fail to reach an agreement that would end the on-going conflict.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn, says the Summit held today in Addis Ababa expected a breakthrough regarding the conflict in South Sudan.

“While in our Summit today we expect to make significant headway into breaking the impasse, it should be clear that it is time the issue be given the full attention it deserves by the UN Security Council in order for meaningfully strong action to be taken.” Dessalegn said.

He was addressing the IGAD heads of state and representatives of the international community during an extra-ordinary summit in Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister says the international community is losing its patience on South Sudan.

“IGAD has been preoccupied with this issue for almost a year now in the hope that regional ownership of the mediation process will ensure maximum efficacy,” he said.

“This is a principled position taken with the firm belief that the early internationalization of the negotiation process will complicate matters. I am afraid it won’t be long before we reach the end of the line. That the patience of the international community is wearing thin is hopefully not lost on the two sides.”

President Salva Kiir left Juba this morning for the extra-ordinary summit of the IGAD heads of state taking place in Addis Ababa.