The members of the ‘Troika’ — the United Kingdom, United States, and Norway — called on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to reject parliament’s vote to extend government’s term until 2021.
In a joint statement on Friday, the Troika group of nations said they are deeply concerned by the South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s passage of a bill to unilaterally extend the transitional government’s term, saying this move will not lead to lasting peace.
The three countries said the vote on July 12 undermines the ongoing peace talks with opposition groups and civil society, pointing out that they do not consider this as a legitimate step.
The Troika asked the South Sudanese authorities to urgently focus on negotiating an inclusive transitional governing arrangement that will lead to free and fair elections and new leadership in the most expeditious and responsible manner possible.
“Without a negotiated and inclusive agreement, there can be no sustainable peace in South Sudan,” the group said.