The US government has started consultations at the United Nations for the Security Council to sanction those who undermine peace, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has said.

In a statement, Ms Rice says the sanctions could be imposed if the South Sudanese government fails to sign the Compromise Agreement within the next two weeks.

The Former Political Detainees and the SPLM in Opposition signed the agreement in Addis Ababa on Monday. Other groups that signed include the civil society, women bloc, religious leaders and the elders.

However, the South Sudan government declined, saying they would only sign if citizens asked them to do so during consultations in the next two weeks.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, expressed doubt that the people’s views will be in favor of the agreement.

International envoys signed the agreement on Tuesday as witnesses. Ms Rice added that the US will continue to support IGAD in the peace process.

She called on the government to sign the agreement within the next two weeks without conditions or reservations.