Washington, DC, January 30, 2014 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s human rights agency, the Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD), welcomes the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement between South Sudan’s warring factions.
The agreement was signed on January 23, 2014, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement released to the media, the block appreciates the signatories to the accord and calls for credible peace talks so that a lasting solution to the conflict can be attained. The group also demands investigation into civilian killings.
“The Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD) welcomes the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed last week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and call for inclusiveness in negotiating long-term settlement to South Sudanese problems and grievances”, the statement reads in part.
“ASSD urge the signatories to the Addis Ababa Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to be inclusive of other armed groups, civil societies, faith-based groups, South Sudanese Diaspora and friends of South Sudan operating in the country and around the world in order to reach a comprehensive long term political and durable solutions to issues faced by the people of South Sudan before and after independence”, it added.
The US-based rights group said it wants to see those who instigated the killing of innocent civilians be held accountable and cited lack of political will within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as the root cause of the crisis.
The group also urges all concerned members of the International Community to support peace efforts in Ethiopia.
Bellow is the original text of the statement:
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Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD) welcomes Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of South Sudan and the Oppositions and call for inclusiveness in negotiations in order to realize a durable Social and Political stability in the world’s youngest nation
The Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD) welcomes the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed last week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and call for inclusiveness in negotiating long-term settlement to South Sudanese problems and grievances.
ASSD believes that the current conflict could have been avoided if there was a political will within the ruling party, SPLM in accommodation and tolerance toward differing views and political opinions across the South Sudan political spectrum.
ASSD urge the signatories to the Addis Ababa Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to be inclusive of other armed groups, civil societies, faith-based groups, South Sudanese Diaspora and friends of South Sudan operating in the country and around the world in order to reach a comprehensive long term political and durable solutions to issues faced by the people of South Sudan before and after independence.
ASSD also urge the International Community notably the United Nations, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Europeans Union(EU), Norway, Australia, Africa Union (AU), Neutral IGAD Countries, Human Rights organizations, International Criminal Court (ICC) and friends of South Sudan to support the ongoing peace process between the South Sudanese warring parties in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by making sure that the underlying issues and fundamental problems are addressed in order for peace and trust to be restored among South Sudanese Communities.
We firmly believe that for long-term settlement of South Sudanese current hostilities and prevention of future conflicts, those who instigated and caused the murder of innocent civilians be held accountable and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.
For information, contact us at: +1(202) 709-7322 or viaemail at [email protected]
About the ASSD: ASSD is an umbrella organization for South Sudanese organizations and individuals championing the causes for freedom, democracy, human rights, good governance and development in South Sudan