{"id":82810,"date":"2017-07-20T18:29:23","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T18:29:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=6262528d3b51599ebe0163c0dcaf6e92"},"modified":"2017-07-20T18:29:23","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T18:29:23","slug":"press-release-troika-and-eu-joint-statement-on-south-sudan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=82810","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Troika and EU Joint Statement on South Sudan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union condemn the continuing violence in South Sudan, especially the Government of South Sudan\u2019s current offensive against SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO)\u00a0forces near Pagak, as well as ongoing road ambushes and attacks by the SPLM-IO.\u00a0 The Pagak offensive is a clear violation of the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir on May 22, and calls into question the government\u2019s commitment to reach peace through the National Dialogue, notwithstanding the sincere efforts undertaken by the leaders of the Steering Committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Troika and EU repeat and endorse the June 12 call by the leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for President Kiir to ensure that his forces respect the unilateral ceasefire, for the armed opposition groups to reciprocate the ceasefire, and for all groups to allow the unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need.\u00a0 We also welcome IGAD\u2019s announcement of a High-Level Revitalization Forum for the South Sudan peace process.\u00a0 We call upon IGAD to expeditiously convene the Forum, and to include the current principal parties to the conflict.\u00a0 Likewise, we urge all parties to fully participate in the Forum.\u00a0 The Troika and EU agree with IGAD that the Forum should focus on achieving a ceasefire and resuming political dialogue that focuses on updating the agreement\u2019s timelines and other provisions that are now obsolete in light of the expansion of conflict since 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The proliferation of violence, displacement, and food insecurity renders any discussion of elections in the foreseeable future as an unnecessary diversion from the primary goals of achieving peace and reconciliation. South Sudan\u2019s leaders, neighbors, and regional and international partners must first focus on achieving peace in order to create the conditions needed to hold credible elections.\u00a0 To achieve these urgent goals, we look forward to the prompt revitalization of an inclusive and credible peace process by IGAD; such progress would be required in order for the Troika and EU to commit further resources to institutions designed to implement the agreement.<\/p>\n

Further information<\/h3>\n