European nations urge SPLM/A-IO to cease hostilities

JUBA – The United Kingdom of Netherlands and Germany have called on warring factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) to put aside their differences and focus on peace implementation.

Ambassador Jelte Van Weiren of the United Kingdom of Netherlands and Janika Walter Chargés d’affaires of the German Embassy in Juba made the statement during international youth last week Wednesday.

The envoys urged the SPLM/A-IO to stop gun violence and support the ongoing implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

Early last week, fighting erupted in the Magenis area of Upper Nile between the SPLA-IO forces loyal to Gen. Simon Gatwech and the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar leaving about 30 soldiers dead.

“We urged all the parties to the agreement to stop the gun to avoid the suffering of women and children. They should put their differences aside just to enable the country to reform,” Amb. Van Wieren said.

“Security can be a guarantee for the citizens to produce what they want. South Sudan is one of our pilot project countries in agriculture but what we want is peace,” he added.

Janika Walter Chargés d’affaires of the German Embassy said the insecurity has grabbed 80 percent of the farmland from the communities across the country.

She said the five years’ conflict had forced many farmers to abandon their homeland in fear of insecurity.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Albino Bol Dehieu said the senseless war has affected the majority of the youth in terms of education and development.

He said few politicians in the country have managed to divide youth among themselves in the area of tribalism instead of working together for the development

“We are ignorant because the majority of youth did not go to school and they are loyal to their tribes. This makes politicians take the advantage to deceive youth and join them in the bushes,” Dr. Albino said.

The recent fighting between the SPLA-IO and the breakaway group has raised a lot of concerns from the regional and international communities.

Last Wednesday, Tut Gatluak the presidential security Affairs who doubles as the Chairperson of the Pre-Transitional Committee said a committee had been formed to investigate the Magenis incident.

“After we signed the 2018 peace agreement, we don’t need to lose more lives to civil war. Now, we are moving towards unifying the forces but we are concerned by the declaration and fighting that took place in the Magenis area,” Tut told journalists in Juba.

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