The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent dialogue between the country’s leaders to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.
“To prevent a relapse into civil war, the Parties must recommit to the Revitalized Peace Agreement by ceasing all hostilities and strictly adhering to the ceasefire, resolving grievances through dialogue, and reconvening as a truly unified government,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.
According to a press release extended to this publication, he UN is also called for all parties to take immediate steps to protect civilians, prevent further displacement, and uphold their commitments under the ceasefire to avoid deepening the humanitarian crisis.
“In the past 24 hours, clashes have reportedly taken place between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) near Rejaf, south of Juba, and at Wunaliet, west of the capital city,” the statement reads in part. “The situation in Upper Nile also remains volatile, with reports of further mobilization of armed forces and aerial bombardment of civilian areas, allegedly using devices containing a highly flammable liquid that acts as an accelerant on explosion, causing significant casualties and horrific injuries.”
UNMISS said it is engaging with key national actors, alongside international and regional partners, including the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the Troika, Heads of States, the UN Security Council and AU Peace and Security Council.
“We encourage the President and First Vice President to lead efforts to prevent further military confrontation and restore calm by meeting to resolve differences and making a joint public statement reassuring all South Sudanese of their shared commitment to peace,” said Haysom. “This will prove that their priority is to put the interests of their people ahead of their own by preventing a return to widespread conflict that will devastate, not only South Sudan, but the entire region.”