IGAD faults both the goverment of South Sudan and rebels loyal to Riek Machar for delaying implementation of the peace deal that was signed in August.
The United States says the meeting was cancelled because the two sides in South Sudan's conflict have shown complete disregard for the weeks'-old peace deal.
Mr. Kiir says he aims to silence all the "doubting Thomases" who don't believe there will be peace in South Sudan, and blames the opposition under Riek Machar for several breaches of a month-old ceasefire.
The United States pledges an additional $80 million to help internally displaced persons, victims of gender-based violence, children suffering from malnutrition and others affected by 20 months of violence in South Sudan.
Agreement aims to end nearly 20 months of fighting between government forces, rebels led by his former deputy
Journalists down tools for 24 hours and join the international community in calling on President Salva Kiir to explain a threat he made this week against the media, and find whoever killed reporter Peter Moi.
After nearly a week of talks in Addis Ababa, the warring sides in South Sudan say disagreement on a number of key points is barring the way to peace.
But the African Union Peace and Security Council only releases the report to government officials, drawing the ire of Riek Machar's rebel group, which has demanded that it be given a copy.
As the expanded mediation team, IGAD Plus, debates a compromise peace deal for South Sudan, a spokesman for the government of President Salva Kiir warns that his side will not sign the agreement if any new conditions are added to it.
Hundreds celebrate South Sudan's fourth birthday in Juba even as fighting continues to rage in other parts of the country.
The tournament had a broader message than just basketball: a message that sport can unite the South Sudanese people.
Juba optimistic that new format for peace talks will lead to success, but analyst says roadblocks to settlement might be too many
South Sudan's petroleum minister dismisses reports that 400 Chinese oil workers were pulled out of the strategic oil-processing center at Palouch, insisting operations there are proceeding normally.
Analysts Jok Madut Jok and Luka Biong say the leaked report is a good historical record of events in South Sudan since Dec. 2013, but question the recommendations it makes.
Government spokesman Michael Makuei says the moves show the government is committed to restoring peace, but rebel chief Riek Machar says they only complicate the peace process.
Human Rights Watch says telephone interviews with North Darfur village residents indicate that Sudanese forces committed mass rapes, but the government denies charges.
Amnesty International says it is outraged by the African Union Peace and Security Council decision to delay publication of the report, which the rights group says "names names."
The Geneva-based Small Arms Survey says both sides have been preparing for new military campaigns even as they continue to hold talks to try to end South Sudan's 13-month-old conflict.
Key moments from a tumultuous year in the world's newest nation.
UNMISS accuses rebel forces of killing at least 11 civilians, including a baby and a teenaged boy, and of kidnapping and raping women when they retook the town of Bentiu in October.
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