The governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway, collectively known as the Troika, have condemned South Sudan’s leadership for continuing destabilizing unilateral political reshuffles instead of focusing on governing the country or preparing for elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Troika expressed regret that the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has largely failed to achieve its objectives.
The statement recalled that when the R-ARCSS was signed just over seven years ago, there was hope it would bring peace after the country’s initial years of independence were scarred by conflict, including brutal violence against civilians.
However, it lamented that despite international support, the optimism and relief that followed the agreement were unfounded.
“Under the terms of the R-ARCSS, President Salva Kiir should be leading a transitional government of national unity. It does not live up to the name, with the principles of power-sharing violated and no meaningful progress made in implementing the agreement,” the statement said.
It noted that public resources continue to be misused, with public servant salaries remaining unpaid, while international donors spend significantly more on delivering basic services to the people of South Sudan than the transitional government does.
“At independence, South Sudan’s oil revenue made it a middle-income country. It is now ranked among the world’s poorest and most corrupt. The leadership is continuing with destabilizing unilateral reshuffles, rather than focusing on governing the country or preparing for elections,” the statement added.
Most seriously, the Troika noted a return to widespread conflict across the country, warning that a return to the levels of violence seen in 2013 and 2016 would be tragic for the South Sudanese people. It would also represent a serious setback for South Sudan’s neighbors, who are already suffering from the destabilizing effects of the conflict in Sudan.
For the good of the people of South Sudan and for regional stability, the statement urged the country’s leaders to urgently reverse course.
“All parties, especially the SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO, must cease armed attacks and immediately return to the nationwide ceasefire and to sustained leader-level dialogue,” it said.
The Troika urged the transitional government to end aerial attacks against its own citizens, release political prisoners, use public revenue to pay public sector employees, and fund health, education, and other essential services.
Transitional government officials must also cease interfering in the operations of humanitarian assistance providers and regional and international organizations, the statement continued.
The Troika called on all of South Sudan’s friends and partners, particularly its neighbors—who have the most to lose from the prospect of renewed large-scale conflict—to unite in their message that enough is enough.
“South Sudan’s leaders must stop the current conflict and focus on restoring the trust of their people and the international community through concrete actions. If they do so, they will attract the world’s support, investment, and respect,” the Troika asserted.