United Nations Special Advisor on Prevention of Genocide on Wednesday called on South Sudan leaders to engage in genuine reconciliation.
Adama Dieng said nation’s diversity should not be used to divide citizens, but to strengthen togetherness and tolerance, Bakhita Radio reported.
He added that realizing an end to conflict is a collective responsibility for which every one has a role to play.
The Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention lamented that the ongoing conflict claimed many innocent lives.
Mr Dieng appealed to the government to work with civil society organisations, communities and religious leaders to usher peace in the devastated country.
He lamented that it is heart wrenching for IGAD, AU and the international community to sit and watch atrocities being committed.
The Special Advisor called on national, regional and international leaders to take immediate measures to end violence collectively and uphold responsibility to protect civil population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Mr Dieng warned that ethnicity should not be used to incite violence or eliminate other communities.
He added that the world is watching to hold responsible perpetrators accountable.
The Genocide Prevention expert urged President Kiir and SPLM/A in opposition leader Dr Riek Machar to ensure forces under their command do not commit war crimes and crimes against humanity as prescribed in international law.