Statement on South Sudan's Leaders' Failure to Achieve Peace

Joint Troika Statement on South Sudan's Leaders' Failure to Achieve Peace Agreement

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 6, 2015

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

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The members of the Troika are profoundly disappointed by South Sudan’s leaders’ failure to reach a comprehensive peace deal at recent talks.

After the last round of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led peace talks ended in only a partial agreement, the Troika expresses its disappointment that South Sudan’s leaders failed to achieve significant progress toward a peace agreement.

Over a year since the conflict began millions remain displaced, thousands are dead and the country is in ruins despite the commendable efforts of IGAD and its mediation team to achieve a peace agreement. Ignoring the untold suffering of their people, South Sudan’s leaders have refused to make the necessary compromises to reach a peace agreement for the people of South Sudan who deserve and expect nothing less. We call on the parties to fully respect the Cessation of Hostilities agreement of January 23, 2014, and avoid all further violence. We urge the parties return to negotiations onFebruary 19, 2015 prepared to compromise to achieve a peace agreement by March 5, 2015 and form a transitional government by July 1, 2015.

The Troika believes that the publication of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings and its recommendations on accountability are necessary to ensure that such violence against civilians cannot be undertaken with impunity. The people of South Sudan and in particular the victims deserve no less and it will in the long run enable greater accountability and give rise to more robust political stability.

ENDS

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