The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has today joined the international community in celebrating the 69^th anniversary of the birth of the UN.

The celebration of the UN-Day was guided by the theme: “One people for the people”.

The key message delivered in Juba was to the warring parties to end the on-going conflict in South Sudan.

The acting head of UNMISS, Raisedon Zenenga, urged the parties to the conflict to observe the cessation of hostilities agreement in order to bring an end to the conflict.

“Humanitarian situation across the country remains dire with over 1.8 million people displaced; 1.35 million internally including a hundred thousand still in UNMISS bases today and four hundred and fifty three thousand in neighboring countries.” The acting boss said.

“Faced with these challenges, we need to underline that. No amount of humanitarian aids by itself can end the crises or convince the displaced to return home, only sustainable peace and reconciliation can.” Zenenga added.

Zenenga urged President Salva Kiir and the leader of the SPLM-SPLA in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar to use the upcoming round of peace talks in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa to stop the conflict.

“There is no alternative to silencing the gun, and concluding without delay, a comprehensive peace agreement so that the country can return to the task of peace building, nation building, state building, development and delivering essential services to the people.” He said.