UN Security Council urged to try to prevent renewed civil war in South Sudan

UN peacekeepers patrol the streets of Juba, South Sudan (Brian Inganga/AP)

The top United Nations official in South Sudan urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to use its clout to prevent the world’s newest nation from again plunging into civil war.

Nicholas Haysom warned that the escalating rivalry between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and one of the country’s vice presidents has degenerated into direct military confrontation between their parties.