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South Sudan Troika throws weight behind AU and IGAD

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The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) reiterate their strong support for the combined efforts of the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and United Nations to end the conflict in South Sudan.

In a Friday press release by the US State Department the Troika said it further supported the AU and IGAD’s recent calls on all armed parties, including the Government of South Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, and other armed groups, to commit to a ceasefire.

The three countries also welcomed the recent commitment by President Salva Kiir to IGAD leaders to announce a unilateral ceasefire by government forces, and they called upon him to ensure that his order is carried out immediately and in full effect.

The Troika underlined that the dire humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is the direct result of the conflict and demanded that all parties cease violence against humanitarian workers and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.

“Military offensives and the obstruction of lifesaving assistance must stop immediately in order to end the suffering and severe food shortages inflicted upon millions across South Sudan.”

The group reiterated that there was no military solution to this conflict and that a durable end to the conflict would require a political process involving all the principal parties.

“An inclusive national dialogue, deemed credible by the South Sudanese people, could provide a means to redress root causes of conflict and build a true national consensus,” said the statement.

“As President Kiir committed in announcing the planned national dialogue, it should supplement, and not replace, the core elements of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”

The Troika endorsed the ongoing efforts of AU High Representative Alpha Konare and UN Special Envoy Nicholas Haysom to encourage all parties to end fighting and engage in peaceful dialogue.

It also fully supported Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairperson Festus Mogae’s work towards a truly inclusive and effective process to implement the Agreement.

In addition, the Troika endorsed the work of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, and the deployment of its Regional Protection Force.

Lastly, the Troika noted the importance of breaking the cycle of impunity, and encouraged further progress by the AU toward the rapid establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

– By ANA

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