Sebit Martin

The Embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States express grave concern over ongoing hostilities in several parts of South Sudan. This growing violence is in flagrant violation of the ceasefire and R-ARCSS agreements, and threatens the hopes for peace and development shared by all South Sudanese. We specifically condemn the repeated attacks against civilians, including humanitarian workers, and medical facilities protected under international humanitarian law. These attacks are only exacerbating the suffering of the South Sudanese people. We are also seriously concerned by the inter-communal violence in several states and reports of restrictions on humanitarian access. We call on all South Sudan’s leaders to work together urgently to stop the violence. This includes release of all political detainees, including the First Vice President, so that meaningful dialogue – the only route to sustainable peace for South Sudan – can proceed.