Western super powers comprising of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States have mounted pressure on South Sudan Government to release Dr. Machar.
Through their foremost Embassies, the countries raised concerned over peace stagnation and call for immediate Action from government to pave way for dialogue.
According to the joint statement extended to media, the embassies and the Delegation of the European Union raised concern over persistence of conflict in the country.
They appealed to the South Sudan government to released the political detainees including First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar in order to pave way for dialogue.
“The Embassies and the Delegation reaffirm their call for the release of political detainees to permit the immediate resumption of direct dialogue among leaders of all parties, including President Kiir and First Vice President Machar” the statement partly reads.
The group however acknowledged the recent decision by Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) suspending their meeting due to what they termed as unavoidable circumstances and call for immediate rescheduling.
“The postponed 40th session of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) should be rescheduled without delay and should focus on the critical challenges to peace” the statement read.
The Embassies cautioned the government and peace parties to cease from actions that may interrupt the 2018 peace agreement.
“There should be no unilateral actions that further jeopardize the 2018 peace agreement. It is urgent that South Sudan’s leaders meet their obligations and demonstrate that their priority is peace” it read.
This joint statement from the TROIKA Nations followed the replacement of Dr. Riek Machar by a group of Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Juba, a move rejected by Opposition leadership outside the country.
On separate notes some of the SPLM-IO members who ousted Dr. Machar on Wednesday were previously suspended and their Name withdrew from R-JMEC, a move later believed to have interrupted with the RJMEC meeting scheduled for today (Thursday).
