The members of the Troika (the UK, US and Norway) and the European Union (EU) condemned the continuing violence in South Sudan, especially the Government of South Sudan’s current offensive against opposition forces near Pagak, as well as ongoing road ambushes and attacks by the SPLM-IO forces.

Pagak, located on South Sudan’s border with neighbouring Ethiopia, was established by former first vice president Riek Machar as a rebel stronghold after the outbreak of civil war in 2013.

The Pagak offensive, they said in a joint statement, is a clear violation of the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir on May 22, and called into question the government’s commitment to reach peace through the national dialogue, notwithstanding the sincere efforts undertaken by the leaders of the steering committee.

 “The Troika and EU repeat and endorse the June 12 call by the leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for President Kiir to ensure that his forces respect the unilateral ceasefire, for the armed opposition groups to reciprocate the ceasefire, and for all groups to allow the unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need,” partly reads the joint statement.

The Troika and EU members said they welcome IGAD’s announcement of a High-Level Revitalization Forum for the South Sudan peace process.

“We call upon IGAD to expeditiously convene the Forum, and to include the current principal parties to the conflict. Likewise, we urge all parties to fully participate in the Forum,” they said.

The Troika and EU pointed out that they agree with IGAD that the Forum should focus on achieving a ceasefire and resuming political dialogue that focuses on updating the agreement’s timelines and other provisions that are now obsolete in light of the expansion of conflict since 2015. 

“The proliferation of violence, displacement, and food insecurity renders any discussion of elections in the foreseeable future as an unnecessary diversion from the primary goals of achieving peace and reconciliation,” said the joint statement.

They stressed that South Sudan’s leaders, neighbours, and regional and international partners must first focus on achieving peace in order to create the conditions needed to hold credible elections.

“To achieve these urgent goals, we look forward to the prompt revitalization of an inclusive and credible peace process by IGAD; such progress would be required in order for the Troika and EU to commit further resources to institutions designed to implement the agreement,” said the joint statement.