IGAD, AU, TRIOKA, and the parties in conflict
Date: 9th February 2018
Sub: Genuine peace: no more negligence!
February 9, 2018 (SSNA) — Reflecting on the ongoing South Sudan peace talks being mediated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union (AU) and Troikas; The Union of Greater Upper Nile States (UGUNS) is hereby acknowledging the mediator’s obligation and commitment to end the conflict of South Sudan.
UGUNS is cognizant of the commitment, care and support provided by the United Nation (UN) in serving the life of many vulnerable South Sudanese through humanitarian provision. It is true that South Sudan has become vulnerable due to the ongoing crisis in the country, thus, a political agreement is needed to help facilitate the implementation of the, peace agreement undergoing revitalization. This should be the target outcome of the current peace talk.
UGUNS is calling upon the two principles namely the President Salve Kiir and Dr Riek Machar to commit to the spirit of the peace talks, realize the suffering of the civilians and respect the ruling of the conciliators to cease the war.
We are thankful to the principal mediators of the agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (CoHA), signed on 21st December 2017 by the parties. We urge the signatories to the agreement to commit to the implementation of CoHA and other essential items yet to be negotiated; conduct themselves constructively and embrace the ‘principled negotiation’ approaches to end this tragic conflict.
Peace does not discriminate! In peace we can serve lives and prosper together as family, community and as nation.
We invite the mediators to be proactive, standstill and direct the discourses of the peace talks rectifying any grey areas during the peace talks to prevent neglect reoccurring in the implementation of the peace process. The participation of the civil society sectors in the current and future peace talks is critically paramount to inform and enhance the conceptual knowledge of the mediators of the causes of the conflict and how identified barriers could be contextualized.
There shall be no slogans or propaganda used to portrayed or incite violence while the peace talk is under way. Violations should be punished!
Furthermore, we call up on the members of Greater Upper Nile Region from both sides of the conflict to realize the suffering of their people in their temporary homes in the country and in the neighboring countries and understand the need for a durable peace to come in South Sudan. Unfortunately, the impact of this war on Greater Upper Nile communities has been so severe, resulting in hatred, torture, horrific human right abuses, and causing trauma and structural violence.
Therefore, UGUNS is for the opinion that the unity and stability of Greater Upper Nile is vital and will be translated into the unity and stability of South Sudan. This is an important perspective that the mediators need to consider and prioritize in transforming the nature of South Sudan’s conflict. Consider the following, if nothing is done to end the war:
- The gap of education in Greater Upper Nile Region will get even wider compare to other regions in South Sudan.
- The communities will further disintegrate
- The ongoing humanitarian crisis will manifest in catastrophic starvation
- The vulnerability of South Sudan will continue, and that the sovereignty of our country will be in jeopardy.
UGUNS support peace to come in South Sudan under the 10 states geographical boundaries.
For further inquiry, please don’t hesitate to contact UGUNS leadership by [email protected] or follow us on our Facebook page: The Union of Greater Upper Nile States Inc.