The Troika expresses profound disappointment at South Sudan’s leaders’ failure to achieve peace agreement

After the last round of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led peace talks ended in only a partial agreement, the Troika expresses its disappointment that South Sudan’s leaders failed to achieve significant progress toward a peace agreement.

Over a year since the conflict began millions remain displaced, thousands are dead and the country is in ruins despite the commendable efforts of IGAD and its mediation team to achieve a peace agreement.  Ignoring the untold suffering of the South Sudanese people, their leaders refused to make the necessary compromises to reach a peace agreement for the people of South Sudan who deserve and expect nothing less.    We call on the parties to fully respect the Cessation of Hostilities agreement of January 23, 2014, and avoid all further violence.  We urge the parties return to negotiations on 19 February prepared to compromise to achieve a peace agreement by March 5 and form a transitional government by July 1, 2015. 

The Troika believes that the publication of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings and its recommendations on accountability are necessary to ensure that such violence against civilians cannot be undertaken with impunity.  The people of South Sudan and in particular the victims deserve no less, and it will in the long run enable greater accountability and give rise to more robust political stability.