JUBA, South Sudan
The United States, Britain and Norway have called on South Sudan’s presidency to agree on the selection of governors, saying any further delay could undermine the transition process.
On February
21, President Salva Kiir appointed five vice presidents, including opposition
leader Riek Machar as part of a power-sharing deal signed in September 2018.
Since the
formation of the presidency, there have been disputes over state allocations.
The disagreement between parties to the peace agreement has been delaying the
establishment of state governments.
“Now is the
moment for the President and Vice Presidents, supported by the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development and the guarantors of the peace agreement, to agree on
the selection of governors and to move forward to govern together for the
benefit of the people of South Sudan,” the three countries known as the Troika
said in a statement on Tuesday.
They added
that any further delay creates uncertainty that undermines the transition
process, slows the fight against COVID-19, and holds back efforts to end the
violence that now threatens the hard-won peace.
The group
pointed out that the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity
in February was a major step forward in South Sudan’s peace process.
“Since then,
a new challenge has emerged, not just for South Sudan, but for all of
us. COVID-19 is a truly global challenge that will have far-reaching
political and economic impacts. The Troika will continue to support South
Sudan in its response,” the statement reads in part.
The
Troika has expressed concern at “the increased levels of violence across South
Sudan.”
“In Jonglei,
the vacuum created by the lack of governance has exacerbated cycles of
intercommunal violence,” the Troika said, referring to recent fighting in Pibor
and Uror areas.
It added,”
In Central Equatoria, the ceasefire signed in January between the government and
non-signatory groups has broken down and we have seen heavy fighting between
forces in recent weeks, with villages destroyed and their communities
displaced. Shocking reports of sexual violence against women and girls
continue. We are concerned with the impact of the fighting on humanitarian
access.”
Government
troops and NAS rebels have been trading accusations over fresh attacks in
several parts of Central Equatoria State.
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