The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have issued a joint statement Tuesday condemning the violations of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities signed in Addis Ababa on 21 December by the warring parties in South Sudan.
The three countries called on all signatories of the cessation of hostilities agreement, and the field commanders who answer to them, to immediately end all military operations. The group urged the warring parties to put the South Sudanese people’s well-being ahead of their own narrow political interests.
“We also call on all CoH parties, and every level of government, to abide by the November 9 Presidential Order for unfettered humanitarian access. We further call for full cooperation with CTSAMM in meeting its CoH responsibilities, and with UNMISS in carrying out its UN Security Council mandate – as both are working for the South Sudanese people’s greater good,” partly reads the statement.
The Troika reasserted that field commanders, and their political superiors, will be held accountable for violating the cessation of hostilities agreement, impeding humanitarian aid, and hindering CTSAMM and UNMISS operations.
The group commended IGAD for its leadership of the High-Level Revitalization Forum. “We insist all participants engage in the Forum with seriousness of purpose and genuine commitment to bringing lasting peace to the South Sudanese people,” the group said.
Last week, the Chairperson of IGAD Council of Ministers expressed his deep concern and disappointment over the violations of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities.