
JUBA – The European Union (EU) has threatened to impose further sanctions on South Sudan as consequences for failure of the parties to fully implement the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.
The SPLM-IG under President Salva Kiir and other opposition groups including the SPLM-IO under the leadership of now First Vice President Riek Machar Teny signed the revitalized peace agreement in 2018 following months of negotiation.
The signatories of the peace deal formed a unity government in March despite their failure to implement key provisions of the peace agreement including the security arrangements which called for the establishment of a unified force before that action could be executed.
“Full respect of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of December 2017 is imperative. In this context, the EU is supportive of the process facilitated by the Community of Sant’Egidio to create a conducive environment for dialogue and achieve inclusivity by bringing nonsignatory parties on board the peace process,” the EU said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Thursday.
“The fulfilment of the security arrangements, including the unification or demobilization of all ex-combatants, must have as a primary aim to ensure safety and security to all citizens, irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliation. The EU welcomes the signature of the Comprehensive Action Plan by the R-TGoNU parties to end and prevent all grave violations against children, and looks forward to its swift implementation. The EU calls on the UN Security Council to renew the arms embargo and stresses the need to have it enforced,” the statement added.
The European body further threatened to imposed further sanctions on the world’s youngest country should the ongoing implementation of the revitalized peace agreement is jeopardized.
“The EU stands ready to adopt further restrictive measures should these continue or should the peace process be undermined,” it said.
“Perpetrators of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence must be held accountable. The EU strongly supports the setting up of transitional justice institutions and urges the Government to establish the mechanisms foreseen by the peace agreement, not least to take the lead in establishing the Hybrid Court for South Sudan,” it added.
It said the “The engagement by the AU in support of these efforts remains crucial.”
“The EU is determined to continue to stand by the people of South Sudan in their quest for peace and prosperity. The EU recognizes the ambitious timeframe of implementing chapters of the peace agreement.
“To achieve this goal, the EU encourages the Government to develop a comprehensive mutual accountability framework on future cooperation with international partners, linking peace, security, justice and basic services. In this regard, the EU stands ready to strengthen its support to the R-TGoNU when genuine and concrete political deliverables are realised.”
Comments 1