The Embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside the Delegation of the European Union, have voiced their concern over ongoing politically fueled violence in South Sudan. The group highlights repeated breaches of the ceasefire and the absence of proactive steps by the transitional government to establish and uphold peace.
In a joint statement, these diplomatic entities urge for the release of political detainees to enable the recommencement of direct talks among leaders from all parties, including President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. They stress that the delayed 40th session of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) should be scheduled promptly, focusing on vital peace challenges.
The statement emphasizes that there should be no unilateral measures that endanger the peace agreement signed in 2018. It calls on leaders of South Sudan to fulfill their responsibilities, showing that peace is their foremost concern.
"The Embassies and the Delegation reaffirm their call for the release of political detainees to permit the immediate resumption of direct dialogue among leaders of all parties, including President Kiir and First Vice President Machar."
"There should be no unilateral actions that further jeopardize the 2018 peace agreement. It is urgent that South Sudan’s leaders meet their obligations and demonstrate that their priority is peace."