The failure of the two principal protagonists in South Sudan's tragic civil war to reach an agreement "demonstrates lack of leadership and a careless disregard of the well-being of the South Sudanese peoples," the EU deplored Saturday.
"The EU, together with the African Union and other international partners, stands ready to support IGAD in any way that can help to bring an end to the current deadly impasse," said Catherine Ray, spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, in a statement.
The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is an eight-country trade bloc in east Africa.
The IGAD Chair, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, had asked regional and international partners to work together to reinvigorate the peace process and agree a common approach to end the crisis in South Sudan.
The EU statement stressed that "it is important to increase pressure on the parties to resolve all outstanding issues without further delay." "Accountability for crimes committed in the course of the conflict is essential, and the EU reiterates its call for the release of the full, final report of the AU Commission of Inquiry into the conflict," it added.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader and former vice president, Riek Machar, had been meeting in Ethiopia since Tuesday, but the talks ended on Friday without any agreement. No further meetings have been planned.