African leaders have set a deadline of Tuesday for talks between the South Sudanese government and rebel fighters. More than 1,000 people have died and tens of thousands have been displaced in over two weeks of fighting between government forces and rebels loyal to the country’s ousted former vice president. At a summit in Kenya, Ethiopia’s foreign minister read a statement on behalf of regional countries supporting South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom: “Welcomed the commitment by the government of the Republic of South Sudan to an immediate cessation of hostilities and called upon Dr. Riek Machar and other parties to make similar commitments. Determined that if hostilities do not cease within four days of this communiqué, the summit will consider taking further measures. Condemns all unconstitutional actions to challenge the constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law, and in particularly condemns changing the democratic government of the Republic of South Sudan through the use of force.”