The United States is working on many fronts to end the political and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and to restore the troubled nation to peace and stability.
We have provided funding for the IGAD regional bloc that is mediating settlement talks in Addis Ababa, we have pressed for implementing the January 23 cessation of hostilities agreement between the South Sudan government and opposition forces, and we are supporting efforts by the African Union to ensure justice and accountability for atrocities and violations of human rights that have taken place in the fighting. We are also providing significant humanitarian assistance to address the mounting crises.
The United Nations is also fully engaged in South Sudan with a 7,000-member peacekeeping mission – UNMISS -- detailed there to help protect civilians and facilitate access for humanitarian groups to the many thousands in need. We strongly support the vital work it is doing and call on all parties to fully cooperate with it and allow it to do its work without interference.
UNMISS facilities have come under fire in recent weeks, jeopardizing the lives of peacekeepers and the many displaced people sheltered there. These attacks must cease immediately. Those involved in the attacks, those who have raided UN and humanitarian group warehouses and offices, and those who have killed workers delivering humanitarian aid must be held accountable. These assailants must know that the United Nations Security Council authorized UNMISS to use all necessary means to protect civilians. It has condemned in the strongest terms all actions by government and opposition forces that obstruct or impede the mission’s work.
We urge the government of South Sudan to ensure that any assaults on and threats against UNMISS facilities and personnel end now. The mission’s ability to carry out its mandate is critical to mitigate the impact that the conflict is having on civilians and to create conditions for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the South Sudanese people.
Moreover, the world is waiting for all parties in the conflict to finally implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement they signed January 23. The fighting must end now.
We have provided funding for the IGAD regional bloc that is mediating settlement talks in Addis Ababa, we have pressed for implementing the January 23 cessation of hostilities agreement between the South Sudan government and opposition forces, and we are supporting efforts by the African Union to ensure justice and accountability for atrocities and violations of human rights that have taken place in the fighting. We are also providing significant humanitarian assistance to address the mounting crises.
The United Nations is also fully engaged in South Sudan with a 7,000-member peacekeeping mission – UNMISS -- detailed there to help protect civilians and facilitate access for humanitarian groups to the many thousands in need. We strongly support the vital work it is doing and call on all parties to fully cooperate with it and allow it to do its work without interference.
UNMISS facilities have come under fire in recent weeks, jeopardizing the lives of peacekeepers and the many displaced people sheltered there. These attacks must cease immediately. Those involved in the attacks, those who have raided UN and humanitarian group warehouses and offices, and those who have killed workers delivering humanitarian aid must be held accountable. These assailants must know that the United Nations Security Council authorized UNMISS to use all necessary means to protect civilians. It has condemned in the strongest terms all actions by government and opposition forces that obstruct or impede the mission’s work.
We urge the government of South Sudan to ensure that any assaults on and threats against UNMISS facilities and personnel end now. The mission’s ability to carry out its mandate is critical to mitigate the impact that the conflict is having on civilians and to create conditions for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the South Sudanese people.
Moreover, the world is waiting for all parties in the conflict to finally implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement they signed January 23. The fighting must end now.
