U.S. seeks new UN sanctions on South Sudan for unsigned peace deal

The U.S. government has begun talks at the United Nations with the aim of imposing sanctions on South Sudan unless its government signs a peace treaty within 15 days from Tuesday and implements a cease-fire. On Monday, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir disappointed the international community by refusing to sign a peace agreement, claiming he needed 15 more days to decide. The rebel leader Riek Machar signed the agreement. In July, the UN Security Council imposed its first sanctions on six generals after over a year of warnings. The deadly conflict has killed thousands of people, caused widespread food shortages, and forced over a million to flee their homes. Britain has also pushed for sanctions.