The European
Union Ambassador to South Sudan, has emphasized the urgent need to address
ongoing internal conflicts in the country.
Following
recent events in Nasir and Ulang counties of Upper Nile State, Amb. Timo
Olkkonen stressed the need for effective mechanisms to maintain calm and open
dialogue.
"The
events of the recent weeks and months show clearly the importance of addressing
conflict-related issues in South Sudan," Olkkonen said on Tuesday in Juba.
"This
calls for the fact that we need to have mechanisms for upholding calm, keeping
the channels of dialogue open, and resorting to pulling from unilateral access
and further activities."
Clashes in
Nasir County, Upper Nile State, last week left several dead, including Gen.
David Majur Dak, Capt. Jima Reng, and a peacekeeper.
The UN
Commission on Human Rights warned that escalating violence and political
tensions threaten to derail the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Olkkonen
urged South Sudanese leaders to take responsibility for addressing tensions and
preventing further conflict escalation.
"So,
there are different interpretations of what has transpired in the recent weeks,
and we hope that the responsibility obviously lies with the South Sudanese
leaders to tackle these issues and make sure that they don't lead to further
conflict," Olkkonen stated.
The EU has
called for a renewed focus on gender equality, peace, and justice as South
Sudan enters its recent extended transitional period.
On Monday,
the IGAD Secretariat announced that H.E. Ismael Omar Guelleh, President of
Djibouti and IGAD Chair, called for the 43rd Extraordinary Summit of the IGAD
Assembly of Heads of State and Government about the situation in South Sudan.
The virtual
meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM.