The Deputy Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to South Sudan on Tuesday said they unequivocally condemn the escalation of armed clashes in the country.
Lothar Jaschke made the remarks while opening the Annual Gender Equality Forum, which will run from 17 to 19 June in Juba.
“We witness an escalation of armed clashes not seen since 2018. We strongly condemn the ongoing violence, the ongoing military offensives, including aerial bombardments and ground operations,” he stated. “The use of barrel bombing and attacks on health centres. It undermines the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.”
“I want to join IGAD and the African Union in calling for an immediate ceasefire, release of political detainees, dialogue and political solutions, and return to the implementation of R-ARCSS,” Jaschke added.
The envoy stressed that the overriding imperative is to prevent a relapse into war, support the inclusive implementation of the Agreement, and progress the transition towards South Sudan’s first democratic elections.
“The European Union is committed as ever to support South Sudan in its transition towards a stable, peaceful, and democratic country. But this can only happen in an atmosphere of trust and confidence between the political parties and with the common political will to move the peace process and the country forward,” Jaschke counselled. “There is more to gain from cooperation and dialogue than from armed clashes and bombing its own people. I agree that the country needs agriculture and investments and not weapons. And I am fully and strongly convinced that it needs many more women in politics and in the security forces. Not only in South Sudan. All over.”
“I am convinced that our world would look much better and peaceful if there were more women in leading positions,” he concluded.