USA tells peace mediators to quell tension in South Sudan
The US State Department is urging the South Sudan peace deal guarantors to quickly reduce tensions between the concerned parties and get the peace process back on track.
The US Department of State’s Spokesperson, Ned Price, said in a statement on Tuesday that Washington is worried about the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, which requires prompt action before it gets out of hand.
“The United States notes with concern the growing tensions in South Sudan, including recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement-In Opposition (SPLA/M-IO) in Upper Nile state.
“We call for both sides to observe fully their obligations under the existing peace agreement and note that inflammatory rhetoric is counterproductive and should cease immediately,” “the statement reads.
It further stated that the SPLM-IO’s withdrawal from all peace accord monitoring and verification processes weakens the agreement, and must be rectified immediately as ceasefire monitoring agencies probe recent violence and attempt to hold perpetrators accountable.
President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar are also urged to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions, and honour their respective commitments under the 2018 peace agreement, particularly the ceasefire terms.
“We call on both leaders to resume implementation of key, long-delayed provisions of the revitalised peace agreement, including taking the necessary steps to establish an inclusive process to draft a new constitution, to establish necessary electoral legislation and mechanisms, and to respect the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,’’ Washington stated.
“We urge regional states and institutions, namely the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, that are guarantors of the revitalized peace agreement to take swift action to lower tensions and put the peace process back on track before the expiration of the already extended transition period in February 2023, all sides bear responsibility for the deteriorating situation,” the statement added.
It urged all members of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity to take the necessary steps to restore their credibility in the eyes of the South Sudanese people, beginning with complete adherence to and implementation of the 2018 peace deal.
On Monday, both President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr Riek Machar affirmed their party’s commitment to the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. They said they would do anything possible to safeguard the country’s peace.
During a press conference on Monday, President Kiir remarked that even though the peace accord was designed so that it could not easily be implemented, he would do everything necessary to implement it for the sake of peace.
In separate a statement shared with newsrooms on Monday evening, Dr Machar, who is the chairperson of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, said his party or his forces will not be part of the trigger of yet another violence in the country.
‘‘I want to take this moment to call upon SPLM/SPLA-IO forces to remain calm and observe the cessation of hostilities agreement of December 27, 2017, and permanent ceasefire as stipulated in R-ARCSS,’’ he stated.
‘‘I reiterate and confirm unequivocally the solemn commitment of SPLM/SPLA-IO to the people of South Sudan, the region and the international community at large that SPLM/SPLA-IO will not be the one to return the country to war,’’ he further said.
