A research fellow at the Kenya-based Africa Research and Resource Forum says the conflict in South Sudan raises fears of more deaths and destruction.

He says there are growing fears that the war could put joint infrastructural projects at risk.

In an interview with Africa Renewal, Mr. George Omondi, says the hopes of the people of South Sudan are now fading as the conflict continues, because it raises fears of more deaths and destruction in the country.

He says African countries have a responsibility to take swift and decisive action to solve the crisis in South Sudan.

“African countries have a responsibility to take swift and decisive action to solve the crisis in South Sudan,” says Omondi.

“However, the world must also realize that South Sudan is not different from African countries that have engaged in the fight against authoritarianism.”

Mr. Omondi says the conflict in the country has also put at risk the on-going regional integration efforts and joint infrastructural projects in the region.

“The civil war in the country could undermine social cohesion, political stability and economic prosperity in the region,” he said.

The crisis, he says, will likely derail South Sudan’s plans with Kenya to build an oil pipeline to Kenya’s Indian Ocean port of Lamu.

He argues that South Sudan’s strategic importance in East Africa has added a sense of urgency to regional efforts to end the ongoing conflict.