NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The U.N. Security Council could impose sanctions on leaders in South Sudan if gross violations of human rights continue to be carried out, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Tuesday during a visit to the country.

Samantha Power said that peace talks must be taken seriously by the government and rebels and that the Security Council has made it very clear it is prepared to impose “consequences” if participants impede the process.