The African Democracy Forum (ADF) released a statement expressing concern about the eruption of violence on July 7, 2016 between supporters of South Sudan’s President Salvir Kiir, and Vice President Riek Machar. The two are leaders of the country’s two biggest ethnic groups – Dinka Group and Nuer Group – who fought on opposite sides of a violent civil war until a ceasefire in 2015. Although a peace deal was signed in August 2015, isolated outbreaks of violence have continued to occur.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on South Sudan’s population; over 200,000 people have been killed during the war, and over a million displaced. The ADF implores the East African Community to “seriously consider the plight of the people of South Sudan and expedite their efforts towards helping this nation find long lasting peace.”