Juba, April 30, 2019 (SSNA) — The Troika countries (the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States) say the September 2018revitalized peace agreement may not be fulfilled as required by the pact, a joint statement released today shows.
The 3-nation bloc explained in the statement that they are concerned because the May 12 dateline stipulated in the deal is approaching and that the implementation of key peace provisions have not been implemented.
“Implementation of the R-ARCSS is behind schedule and key benchmarks have been missed. We urge the parties to agree on priorities and implement their commitments,” the statement reads in part, adding, “To demonstrate political will, we urge the parties to work together in a spirit of compromise to build trust among South Sudanese leaders and the South Sudanese people.”
In the text, Troika says the agreement is at a “critical juncture” and calls on parties to peace to “redouble their efforts” to bring about lasting peace. The group also states that the government and oppositions parties should work through consensus if they want to delay the formation of a transitional government.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has on several occasions called on SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar to go to Juba to form a transitional government. However, Machar refused, saying a provisional government can only be formed after security arrangements are implemented. Machar also accused Kiir of pursuing “shortcuts” to peace.