Mr Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen

The European Union is extremely concerned about the current situation in South Sudan. We agree with the assessment of the RJMEC chairperson Amb. Maj. General George Owinow that the current situation is the most serious challenge to the peace agreement since its signing. We also agree with the UNSRSG Nicholas Haysom who sees the country at brink of relapse into civil war. 

We join your call Mr Chairperson for a stop of all violence. We call on all parties to the peace agreement to refrain from further unilateral action and return to dialogue. Jointly with other diplomatic missions, we are offering to facilitate a direct dialogue between H. E. President Kiir and H. E. First Vice President Machar. We implore both leaders to engage in direct dialogue to prevent further violence. We also urge all stakeholders to return to a more reconciliatory tone in their public narrative, inflammatory statements only give rise to hate speech. All parties should renounce the use of violence publicly. There is urgency to de-escalate the current crises.

We condemn the violence that has taken place in Upper Nile recently. We regret the loss of life and express our condolences to the bereaved, including to the family and friends of the UNMISS staff member who lost his life in the line of duty.

Recent aerial attacks have resulted in the loss of life according to credible reports of civilians and also of children. Reports that attacks continue, performed partly in darkness, possibly partly from high altitude, possibly using highly flammable substances and bringing horror on civilians are deeply concerning.  

We call on all parties to refrain from any retaliatory action in order to break the emerging cycle of revenge. We urge to secure the safety and safe passage of remaining SSPDF survivors from the Nasir garrison, and we commend those who are supporting efforts to make this happen 

Parties need to come back to the negotiation table. We join the call of the IGAD Heads of State and of the UNSRSG for the release of detained military and civilian officials and if necessary treat their cases in compliance with due legal processes. The functioning of various ceasefire and peace agreement mechanisms needs to be restored. 

We recognize that recent events may have caused new grievances and suspicion. There are different interpretations to what has led us to this difficult moment. We call on all parties to leave these grievances aside, at least for the time being. The security of the South Sudanese people and the peace and stability of the country should take precedence over them. CTSAMVM is well placed to investigate what actually transpired in these cases, such as the tragic events in Upper Nile. It should be empowered and allowed to do so.

Thank you