EU is one of the largest South Sudan donors that has helped the country’s humanitarian sector to thrive. It has also contributed to the success of the High-Level Revitalization Forum which brought about the revitalized peace agreement.
In a statement marking one year since the formation of South Sudan’s Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU), Joseph Borell, the EU High Representative, acknowledged little progress on the implementation of the agreement, but said the government needs to do more to expedite the implementation of the deal, further citing continued fragility of the humanitarian situation in the country.
“One year after the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, the EU takes positive note of recent announcements on transitional justice and the nomination of some of the local governments. Yet, too little progress has taken place and instability persists. The EU expects the South Sudanese Government to pursue and accelerate the implementation of the Peace Agreement,” Borell said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.
“The humanitarian situation remains critical and an immediate system-wide scale-up of the humanitarian response led by the UN is needed. Parts of the country are facing famine likely conditions, and a dire food crisis is predicted over the coming months, affecting more than 60% of the population,” he added.
The EU diplomat pointed to continued breakdown of security triggered by intercommunal violence in many parts of the country urging the government to do more efforts to make sure that civilians are protected from violence and to allow for unimpeded humanitarian access to all parts of the country.
“This situation is triggered and exacerbated by high levels of violence in large parts of the country, which is often politically motivated. All efforts must be made to assist the population and protect civilians from violence and human rights violations and abuses,” he said.
“It is essential for all actors to guarantee full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, in compliance with International Humanitarian Law; to protect humanitarian workers and resources from attacks, threats and lootings; and to remove formal and informal bureaucratic obstructions, including numerous fees and taxes. These impediments are delaying life-saving emergency assistance and are reducing the impact of the funds available for helping those in need,” he added.
The EU diplomat further urged for immediate implementation of the security arrangements provided for in the revitalized peace agreement particularly the formation and deployment of unified forces and also urged the parties to put forth measures to prevent further defections that always complicate peace efforts in the country.
“A rapid implementation of the Security Arrangements of the Peace Agreement is paramount. It requires the urgent formation of the Necessary Unified Forces with a clear and inclusive chain of command. Measures must be taken to prevent and deter any further military defections from one armed side to the other, which are often accompanied by violence against civilians and violations of the ceasefire,” he said.
The statement further reiterated the European Union’s “readiness to deepen its partnership with South Sudan, including through a possible Mutual Accountability Framework on future cooperation with international partners. For such a Framework to be viable, reforms outlined in the Peace Agreement must be undertaken. In particular, reforms which enhance public financial management, transparency and accountability, particularly in the oil sector, make the justice sector more effective, launch the work on the permanent constitution and ensure basic social services’ delivery and necessary space for civil society.”
“The EU reaffirms its support to the people of South Sudan who courageously battle the hardships of food insecurity, floods, epidemic outbreaks and widespread violence. The EU will continue to strengthen resilience of local populations and provide life-saving humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable, including internally displaced and refugees, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.”
