Leading embassies have expressed concern over the stagnation of peace efforts in South Sudan, urging the government to take immediate action to facilitate dialogue.
In a joint statement Thursday, the embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the Delegation of the European Union, highlighted the ongoing conflict in the country.
They called on the South Sudanese government to release political detainees, including First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, to pave the way for meaningful dialogue.
“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,” the statement read.
The delegation also acknowledged the recent suspension of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) meeting due to unavoidable circumstances, urging its immediate rescheduling.
“The postponed 40th session of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) should be rescheduled without delay and should focus on the critical challenges to peace,” the statement added, cautioning all parties against actions that could undermine the 2018 peace agreement.
“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,” the statement emphasized.
The joint call followed the controversial replacement of Dr. Riek Machar by a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Juba – a move rejected by opposition leadership outside the country.
Separately, some SPLM-IO members who ousted Dr. Machar on Wednesday had previously been suspended and removed from R-JMEC. Their actions are believed to have disrupted the RJMEC meeting initially scheduled for Thursday.
