South Sudanese opposition party United Democratic Forum has called for more international pressure on South Sudan's warring parties in order to bring peace to the nation.

Bona Deng, the deputy chairman of the party, said peace will not come quickly to South Sudan unless a lot of pressure is put on the two sides.

“The international community is putting pressure on the warring parties. Regionally the same thing is taking place but what we feel is that more pressure should be put on the two warring parties so that they come together and sit on round table.”

In an interview, he also called for participation of the other political parties in the peace process.

“Our stand as UDF is that for us to reach peace that is owned by all the people of South Sudan, other stakeholders should be involved in all the stages. Unless we do that there will be no guarantee for a permanent peace.”

He added, “We have been putting pressure on the government as political parties but the government is not listening to us. We are trying our level best to make the government understand that peace is what the people of South Sudan need.”

Deng also pointed to the failure of other heads of state to attend South Sudan's independence celebrations. Several presidents who were invited only sent their foreign ministers.