Juba: The African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and peace monitors in South Sudan have issued a call to action for the nation’s leaders to cease hostilities and urgently resume dialogue to advance the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the AU Mission in South Sudan, the UN Mission in South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African bloc, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which oversees peace implementation, have raised alarms over the rapid deterioration of the political and security landscape in South Sudan.
The joint statement issued in Juba highlights the ongoing air and ground attacks, which are causing significant loss of life, destruction of property, and displacement of civilians. The organizations also pointed out the rise of ethnically polarizing rhetoric and hate speech, alongside the unacceptable targeting of humanitarian facilities, calling for an immediate halt to these actions.
These developments are rapidly eroding the confidence of communities and peace partners in the commitment of the parties to avoid a return to war, the organizations warned. They urged South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to a transparent, consensus-driven, and collaborative approach to achieve lasting peace.
The statement further emphasized the need for the leadership to reinvigorate the stalled peace process by addressing grievances through inclusive political dialogue. Key to this process, the missions suggested, is the release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other opposition officials and members currently detained, as well as the creation of an enabling environment to reconvene and support inclusive institutions and mechanisms outlined in the peace agreement.