International community offers to facilitate South Sudan peace talks

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (Photo Credit: kbc.co.ke)

The international community has offered to assist in facilitating direct communication between the South Sudan’s leaders in an attempt to bring peace and stability back to the country.

The Embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union Delegation, Tuesday issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to facilitate diplomatic talks between First Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir.

“We reaffirm as a matter of urgency our call that South Sudan’s leaders, including President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, meet and engage in direct dialogue to restore and maintain peace. We are prepared to facilitate their discussion.” Read the statement.

The statement condemned the continued violence in Upper Nile State, including aerial bombardment in Nasir County and credible reports of civilian casualties.

Additionally, the embassies voiced concerns over reports of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) survivors from the Nasir Garrison being unable to return to safety, as well as the continued detention of senior officials in Juba without charges.

“The Embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the Delegation of the European Union, deplore the continued violence in Upper Nile State, including aerial bombardment in Nasir County and credible reports of civilian casualties. We remain concerned about reports of SSPDF survivors of the Nasir Garrison who have been unable to return to safe locations, as well as of continued detentions in Juba of senior officials without charges.” The statement read.

The international community further called on all South Sudan’s leaders to avoid unilateral actions, to reject the use of violence as a tool for political competition, and to put the interests of the South Sudanese people first.

Source: https://www.kbc.co.ke/international-community-offers-to-facilitate-south-sudan-peace-talks/