An International human right pressure group is calling for urgent deployment of more UN peacekeepers to protect civilians in South Sudan.

The US-based Enough Project says the conflict in the country may turn into genocide if there is no increased civilian protection.

A statement from the organization and its coalition partners condemned the attacks on civilians in South Sudan, including the recent incidents in Bentiu and Bor.

“The conflict threatens to destabilize the entire region and requires the immediate attention of the international community to stop the killing,” said the statement.

The statement calls on both sides to the conflict to fully implement the Cessation of Hostilities agreement signed in January.

It also calls for the full investigation of human rights atrocities by the African Union’s High Level Commission of Inquiry and ensure accountability for atrocities committed by forces on both sides.

The coalition statement also ‘calls on the international community to provide additional peacekeepers dedicated to the protection of civilians, as well as punitive measures against those that continue to undermine the peace process’.

The Enough Project says there must be punitive measures by the international community against those that continue to undermine the peace process.