A South Sudanese reverend on Monday publicly chastised politicians negotiating at the Addis Ababa peace talks for having "no concern" for human life and instead leading the South Sudanese people to death and destruction.

"[If] you could actually see the negotiators, the way they talk is not the way you [ought to] talk," said Presbyterian Reverend James Makuei Chuol, who is a member of the religious leaders delegation to the peace talks in Ethiopia. "It is as if those who died are just grasshoppers. There is no concern."

Rev. Makuei was speaking in Nairobi at a memorial service for civilians and soldiers killed in the war.

"The [peace] process is still too long, and you the people of South Sudan you have to continue suffering," he lamented.

The church leader said the country had fallen to "temptation."

Rev. Makuei continued his sermon by criticizing the country's leadership.

"I lost a sister and a brother," the reverend and elder said. "Leadership should not kill our people. You see being a leader is you lead the way... you tell your people, that is the light, that is the road, not to lead them to death."

The church leader added that he doubted South Sudanese citizens would vote for independence again after experiencing this war.

"What is the use of it actually? For us to kill ourselves? We have to pray. Let us pray."

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Radio Tamazuj photo: A Presbyterian church in South Sudan