African Union Summit: Summit opens with stern warning to South Sudan's warring parties

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African heads of state are gathered in Mauritania for the 31st African Union Summit. This year's gathering is under the theme of "Fighting Corruption". But the most recent snag in South Sudan's peace process dominated talks -- with a stern warning for the country's leaders. CGTN's Robert Nagila is in Nouakchott and filed this report.

The two-day heads of state summit opened in Nouakchott on Sunday. Among the leaders in attendance -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Rwandan president Paul Kagame is the current chairperson of the AU. He opened the summit with a focus on the AU's programmes funded by member states.

PAUL KAGAME CHAIRPERSON, AFRICAN UNION "Through this process the 2019 budget presented to the assembly for consideration has even been reduced by 12% compared to 2018. At the same time contributions to the peace fund have never been higher."

ROBERT NAGILA NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA "Despite the positive steps taken to reform the African Union's finances numerous challenges still remain. The most urgent matter arising in recent days is the issue of South Sudan."

A ceasefire agreement reached in the Sudanese capital Khartoum last week was violated just days after it was signed. Both President Salva Kiir's administration and rebel leader Riek Machar's faction blame each other for the breach. On Saturday, African Leaders issued a stern warning to both Parties.

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA PRESIDENT, SOUTH AFRICA "We are aware that punitive measures against South Sudanese parties for violating the peace agreement are being contemplated by a number of other institutions outside the continent. It is my view that the continent through our committee should be involved in discussions of this nature."

The theme for this summit is Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation". Leaders are expected to adopt a declaration calling for a sustained fight against corruption at the closing ceremony on Monday Robert Nagila, CGTN, Nouakchott, Mauritania.